Yoga, a system of physical and mental wholeness and personal growth, yoga is based on sound anatomical and physiological principles and has stood the test of thousands of years. It is an approach to heath care that promotes the harmonious working-together of the human being’s three components: Body, mind and spirit. This chapter gives an overview of the exercises and techniques involved in Hatha Yoga, the most popular type of yoga practiced in the world today. It also discusses the benefits you can expect from regular practice.

Hatha yoga consists of non-strenuous physical exercises which take each joint in the body through its full range of motion, strengthening, stretching gently and balancing each part. The practice of these exercises requires a complete focusing on what is being done, so that it is virtually impossible to hurt yourself. The exercises are performed in synchronization with regular breathing to provide oxygen to the working muscles. They affect not only joints and muscles, but also organs, glands and other structures. The exercises also teach you to work within your limits in a non-judgmental way.

The breathing exercises, collectively known as pranayama, as well as the concentration, meditation and relaxation techniques, are extremely effective in diverting attention from disturbing environment stimuli and so help you become more focused. This brings a feeling of greater self-control; a feeling that you are less at the mercy of outside influences. Practicing these techniques will also help you to conserve energy and to manage pain and other forms of stress effectively.

Yoga differs from other types of exercises in that it engages the whole person. Because it requires awareness during practice, mind and body work together to create psychological and psycho-somatic (body-mind) harmony, which in turn leads to optimum potential for healing. Yoga is not a quick fix, though, so do not expect dramatic results as soon as you start practicing it. Just as the steady drip of water eventually reshapes a stone, the regular practice of yoga postures restructures body tissues in a slow and steady way.

The ultimate goal of life can be realized through four paths or ways. They are the path of work (Karma-Yoga), the path of devotion or love (Bhakti- yogas), the path of psychic control (Raja yoga) and the path of self analysis and knowledge (Jnana yoga). The four paths lead to the same goal, via, the attainment of the ultimate Reality.

These divisions are not hard and fast. There is no line of demarcation between one another. Karma yoga is suitable for a man of active temperament, Bhakti yoga for a man of emotional temperament; Raja yoga, for a man pf mystic temperament, and jnana yoga, for a man of will or reason. Each path lead into the other. For the integrated development of man-of head, heart and hand, the harmonious functioning of the four yoga’s are necessary.

Karma-yoga is the path of nishkamakarma. One who follows the path of Karma-yoga should work for work’s sake only without any selfish motives. Bhakti yoga is the path of devotion. In Bhakti-yoga, the devotee makes absolute and unreserved self surrender and depends upon God for everything. One who follows the path of Raja-yoga has to ascend step by step

There are eight links in Raja-yoga viz, yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, prathyahara, dharana, dhyana and Samadhi. Jnana yoga is the path of knowledge. One who follows jnana-yoga should first acquire (discrimination), Vairagya (renunciation), shat sampath (Six-fold virtues) and mumukshutva (intense longing for liberation).