Amit Mittal

Jnana (wisdom or knowledge) is considered the most difficult of the four main paths of Yoga, requiring great strength of will and intellect. In Jnana yoga, the mind is used to inquire into its own nature and to transcend the mind’s identification with its thoughts and ego. The fundamental goal of Jnana yoga is to become liberated from the illusionary world of maya (thoughts and perceptions) and to achieve union of the inner Self (Atman) with the oneness of all life (Brahman). This is achieved by steadfastly practicing the mental techniques of self-questioning, reflection and conscious illumination that are defined in the Four Pillars of Knowledge. The Four Pillars of Knowledge (sadhana chatushtaya) are the prescribed steps toward achieving liberation in Jnana Yoga. These practices build upon each other and thus should be practiced in sequential order. Even if one does not have the goal of achieving liberation, practicing these techniques will cultivate spiritual insight and understanding as well as reduce one’s suffering and dissatisfaction of life.

Yoga and Power Yoga are to be understood with different meanings and concepts. Yoga is based on the Ashtanga Yoga taught by sage Patanjali, the author of the Yoga Aphorisms. Ashtanga Yoga includes the eight limbs of Yoga, namely, yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana and Samadhi. On the other hand, power yoga is the word used to indicate the Yoga system prevalent in the western countries as a form of ‘keep fit’ program. This is the main difference between the two words. Another interesting difference between the two words is that, while yoga aims at the highest target of the attainment of spiritual absorption, power yoga does not aim at the target of spiritual absorption for that matter. In fact, it can be said that power yoga does not have inclination towards spirituality. On the other hand, traditional yoga has inclination towards spirituality. The fact that power yoga is not inclined towards spiritual attainment is known through the various programs promoted by the different Yoga centers in the West. It is important to know that these programs concentrate mainly on how to keep fit in both, mind and the control of body weight. In other words, power yoga is more of the reduction of body weight. It aims at the control of cholesterol or LDL cholesterol levels in the body. Meditation techniques followed in Power Yoga aim at making the mind calm and quiet. That is why power yoga camps are conducted atop hills and other resorts. They call it yoga resorts. On the other hand, meditation is followed in the traditional system of yoga with an aim to attain perfection in the art of mind control and self realization. These are primarily the differences between the two words, namely, yoga and power yoga.

Karma Yoga is based on the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, a sacred Sanskrit scripture of Hinduism. The word "Karma" is derived from the Sanskrit Kri, meaning "to do". Krishna advocates selfless action as the ideal path to realize the Truth (enlightenment, a life in the light). Bhakti Yoga is love to God and to the spiritual Master. Karma Yoga is doing good to the whole world, to love the whole world and all beings. Krishna taught Karma Yoga and Bhakti Yoga and Gnani Yoga (self-reflection and meditation). These three are the complete way of love. But most important for the world is the yoga of action, of doing good.

Bhakti Yoga is one of the four main yogic paths to enlightenment. Bhakti means “devotion” or “love” and this path contains various practices to unite the bhakta (Bhakti Yoga practitioner) with the Divine.Bhakti Yoga is considered the easiest yogic path to master and the most direct method to experience the unity of mind, body and spirit. While Hatha Yoga requires a strong and flexible body, Raja Yoga requires a disciplined and concentrated mind, and Jnana Yoga requires a keen intellect, the only requirement for Bhakti Yoga is an open, loving heart. But Bhakti Yoga complements other paths of yoga well, and it is said that jnana (knowledge or wisdom) will dawn by itself when you engage in the devotional practices of Bhakti Yoga. The Nine Limbs of Devotion 1. Shravana – “listening” to the ancient scriptures, especially potent if told by a saint or genuine bhakta. 2. Kirtana – “singing” devotional songs, usually practiced in a call-and-response group format. 3. Smarana – “remembering” the Divine by constantly meditating upon its name and form. 4. Padasevana – “service at the feet” of the Divine, which incorporates the practice of karma yoga (selfless service) with bhakti (devotion). 5. Archana – the “ritual worship” of the Divine through practices such as puja (deity worship), and havan or homa (fire offering). 6. Vandana – the “prostration” before the image of one’s chosen image or representation of the Divine. 7. Dasya – the “unquestioning” devotion of the Divine involving the cultivation of serving the will of God instead of one’s own ego. 8. Sakhya – the “friendship” and relationship established between the Divine and the devotee. 9. Atmanivedana – the “self-offering” and complete surrender of the self to the Divine.

Studies related to heart compression have not demonstrated any statistically significant advantages to the cardiac system when lying on one side versus the other, according to anatomy expert Mary Richards, e-RYT200, CYT, member IAYT, who has over 20 years of teaching experience. So relieving pressure on the heart isn’t really a practical reason to guide people to roll onto their right side. Another reason given for rolling to the right is to create more openness for the left nostril, to allow a greater flow of prana and less likelihood of obstructing the “Tha” or divine feminine, receptive energy. It’s thought that pausing on this right side to open the left nostril and cool down provides a restful transition between savasana and sitting up. But as Richards points out, savasana is the ultimate ‘cool down’ pose, so if a practitioner hasn’t cooled down by the end of a 5-10 minutes savasana, it probably wasn’t long enough. When and how the directive to roll to the right even started isn’t clear, says Richards. It has very limited, vague mention in standard yoga literature such as B.K.S. Iyengar’s Light on Yoga or writings by T.K.V. Desikachar or Gary Kraftsow. Ancient yoga texts such as Hatha Yoga Pradipika don’t even mention a transition roll; the emphasis is on the savasana, “corpse” pose to remove tiredness and relax the body and min