Zainab

Raj Yoga is known as the “royal path” of yoga. It mainly deals with the mind and meditation. The purpose of Raj Yoga is to control our thoughts, emotions, and mental restlessness so that the mind becomes calm and focused. Through this, a person can experience inner peace and self-realization.

It is called Raj Yoga because just like a king (Raja) rules and controls his kingdom, in the same way, Raj Yoga teaches us to rule and control our own mind. When the mind is under control, the whole life comes into balance, just like a kingdom works smoothly under a good king.

Raj Yoga is often called the “royal path of yoga.” The idea behind Raj Yoga is that it mainly focuses on the mind. While other forms of yoga may work more on the body or on rituals, Raj Yoga guides a person towards controlling the mind and reaching inner peace through meditation, concentration, and discipline. Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras describe this path in detail through the “Ashtanga Yoga” – the eight limbs of yoga, which include yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana, and finally samadhi.

Now, when we talk about whether Raj Yoga can be considered the supreme form of yoga, Patanjali gives us a very clear definition of yoga in his famous sutra: “Yogaḥ citta vṛtti nirodhaḥ”, which means “Yoga is the stilling of the fluctuations of the mind.” Raj Yoga directly works on this goal because its whole purpose is to control the restless thoughts of the mind and bring it into a state of stability and silence. In that sense, yes, Raj Yoga can be considered the supreme or highest form of yoga according to Patanjali, because it directly fulfills the main definition of what yoga truly is.

Hatha Yoga is one of the oldest forms of yoga that most people know and practice. The word “Hatha” itself has a meaning – Ha means the sun and Tha means the moon. So basically, Hatha Yoga is about balancing the two opposite energies in us, like strength and softness, body and mind, or effort and relaxation.

In simple words, Hatha Yoga is the yoga of physical postures and breathing exercises. Through asanas, pranayama and some basic meditation, it prepares our body and mind to stay healthy and calm. It is called Hatha Yoga because it uses both physical effort and control over breath to bring balance in life. That’s why it is seen as the foundation of most other yoga styles we practice today.

Yoga and exercise both focus on improving our physical and mental health, but their approach and benefits are a little different. Exercise mainly works on building strength, stamina, flexibility and burning calories. For example, running, weight training or cycling directly target muscles and the cardiovascular system. Yoga, on the other hand, is not just about physical postures but also about breath control, relaxation, balance and connecting mind and body. It helps reduce stress, improves focus, and keeps the body flexible and strong in a more holistic way.

Both yoga and exercise can definitely go together and in fact, they complement each other very well. Exercise helps in keeping the body active, strong and energetic, while yoga ensures proper recovery, relaxation, and mental clarity. For example, a person who goes to the gym or does cardio can practice yoga afterward to stretch muscles, prevent injuries and calm the nervous system. Similarly, those who do yoga can include light exercise or strength training to increase stamina and endurance. When combined, they create a balanced lifestyle that takes care of both physical fitness and mental peace.