1. The Four Paths of Yoga Outcome 2.3 Distinguish among the four forms of yoga to find the practice most suited to their personality.

2. The four paths are… Active path = Karma yoga Active path = Karma yoga Philosophical path = Jnana Yoga Philosophical path = Jnana Yoga Devotional path = Bhakti yoga Devotional path = Bhakti yoga Scientific path = Raja yoga Scientific path = Raja yoga

3. Karma Yoga Karma yoga involves the dedication of all work as on offering to something or someone with no thought of personal reward. Karma yoga involves the dedication of all work as on offering to something or someone with no thought of personal reward. Karma yoga can be practiced at all times, under all conditions, anywhere there is a desire to do a selfless service. Karma yoga can be practiced at all times, under all conditions, anywhere there is a desire to do a selfless service.

4. Jnana Yoga This is the intellectual approach to spiritual evolution. This is the intellectual approach to spiritual evolution. This is said to be the most difficult path as a sharp, keen intellect, unclouded by emotions, is necessary. This is said to be the most difficult path as a sharp, keen intellect, unclouded by emotions, is necessary.

5. Bhakti Yoga Bhakti yoga is the devotional approach to yoga, the approach of pure love. Bhakti yoga is the devotional approach to yoga, the approach of pure love. Bhakti yoga rids the yogi of egocentricity by developing humiltiy and self-surrender. Bhakti yoga rids the yogi of egocentricity by developing humiltiy and self-surrender.

6. Raja Yoga In the 14 th century, Pantanjali’s system of yoga was given the name Raja yoga, or “royal yoga’. This is often referred to as classical yoga with an emphasis on meditation and introspection. In the 14 th century, Pantanjali’s system of yoga was given the name Raja yoga, or “royal yoga’. This is often referred to as classical yoga with an emphasis on meditation and introspection. In an effort to control the mind and attain true freedom, he created an 8 limbed path of self-observation and analysis. In an effort to control the mind and attain true freedom, he created an 8 limbed path of self-observation and analysis.

7. 8 steps of Raja yoga 1. Yamas 5. Pratyahara 2. Niyamas 6. Dharana 3. Asanas 7. Dhyana 4. Pranayama 8. Samadhi Outcome 2.1: demonstrate an understanding of the Eight Limbs of Ashtanga Yoga.

8. Yamas and Niyamas Living according to these principles allows us to see how easy it is to be tempted by greed, desire, attachment which in most cases actually amplifies our struggle/suffering in life. Living according to these principles allows us to see how easy it is to be tempted by greed, desire, attachment which in most cases actually amplifies our struggle/suffering in life. Patanjali emphasized the importance of shifting the direction of our thoughts toward the five yamas and niyamas to live lives of personal dignity and respect for all beings. Patanjali emphasized the importance of shifting the direction of our thoughts toward the five yamas and niyamas to live lives of personal dignity and respect for all beings.

9. Yamas (abstensions/restraints) These main 5 are known as ethical disciplines or guidelines for living morally. Nonviolence – (Ahimsa) Nonviolence – (Ahimsa) Truth – (Satya) Truth – (Satya) Moderation – (Brahmacharya) Moderation – (Brahmacharya) Generosity – (Astheya) Generosity – (Astheya) Being nonposessive – (Aparigraha) Being nonposessive – (Aparigraha)

10. Living Nonviolence (Ahimsa) This is the practice of having reverence for life. This is the practice of having reverence for life. Questions to Ponder: Questions to Ponder: Have you ever stopped what you are doing to reach out to support others? How frequently are you willing to do this? Does how you treat your body reflect a reverence for life? “If on path, you cannot be kind to people, please, please do not harm them.” Dalai Lama

11. Living Truth ( Satya) This is being truthful and honest. This is being truthful and honest. Challenging questions: Do you tell little white lies to make life easier? Are you truthful about the patterns you have been ignoring on your life? Challenging questions: Do you tell little white lies to make life easier? Are you truthful about the patterns you have been ignoring on your life? “ Denial does not only exist in Egypt!” – Therapist, Blair Abbass

12. Living without Attachment (Agripaha) This is the practice of detachment, letting go of the desire to acquire things. This is the practice of detachment, letting go of the desire to acquire things. Are there items you long which you think would make your life better? Are there items you possess that hold a portion of your self worth? Does the idea of having more things energize you more than anything else? Are there items you long which you think would make your life better? Are there items you possess that hold a portion of your self worth? Does the idea of having more things energize you more than anything else? “The more we acquire, the more we think we need.” “The more we acquire, the more we think we need.”

13. Living with Moderation (Brahmacharya) This is living with moderation of all things good. This is living with moderation of all things good. Tough questions: Do you engage in some activities so much that they steal personal energy from you exploring your own gifts of creativity? Tough questions: Do you engage in some activities so much that they steal personal energy from you exploring your own gifts of creativity?

14. Living Asteya This refers to the practice of non-stealing, or the quality of generosity. This refers to the practice of non-stealing, or the quality of generosity. Tough questions: Have you ever taken the credit for work you did not do? Tough questions: Have you ever taken the credit for work you did not do? “Give credit where credit is due.” “Give credit where credit is due.”

15. Yamas (abstensions/restraints) These main 5 are known as ethical disciplines or guidelines for living morally. Nonviolence – (Ahimsa) Nonviolence – (Ahimsa) Truth – (Satya) Truth – (Satya) Moderation – (Brahmacharya) Moderation – (Brahmacharya) Generosity – (Astheya) Generosity – (Astheya) Being nonposessive – (Aparigraha) Being nonposessive – (Aparigraha)

16. Journal Choose the YAMA that you would like to have more of in your life. Choose the YAMA that you would like to have more of in your life. Write a journal entry for yourself that honestly explores how you are doing with living this YAMA and what would have to change to invite more of this into your day to day life. OPEN. HONEST. SELF ANALYSIS. Write a journal entry for yourself that honestly explores how you are doing with living this YAMA and what would have to change to invite more of this into your day to day life. OPEN. HONEST. SELF ANALYSIS.

17. Niyamas (Observances) These are the observances and work in partnership with the Yamas as our ethical guidelines. Austerities – (tapas) Austerities – (tapas) Purity – (Saucha) Purity – (Saucha) Contentment – (Santosha) Contentment – (Santosha) Study – (Swadhyaya) Study – (Swadhyaya) Surrender of the ego – (Ishwara-Pranidhana) Surrender of the ego – (Ishwara-Pranidhana)

18. Asanas Steady pose Steady pose Asanas develop strong bodies – strong muscles and bones and alignment. Asanas develop strong bodies – strong muscles and bones and alignment. Prana flows best in a strong and aligned body which allows for greater discovery of self in meditation and spiritual growth. Prana flows best in a strong and aligned body which allows for greater discovery of self in meditation and spiritual growth.

19. Pranayama Control of vital energy Control of vital energy Pranayama cleanes and strengthens the physical body, but more importantly, it calms, steadies, and clears the mind. Pranayama cleanes and strengthens the physical body, but more importantly, it calms, steadies, and clears the mind.

20. Pratyahara Withdrawal of the senses Withdrawal of the senses This is the letting go stage, moving from cravings and desires. This is the letting go stage, moving from cravings and desires. What we need and what we perceive we need are polar opposites. This takes tremendous discipline. What we need and what we perceive we need are polar opposites. This takes tremendous discipline.

21. Dharana Concentration of the mind. Concentration of the mind. This is the practice of concentrating on either an external or internal object with the exclusion of all other thoughts. (like a candle or a chakra.) This is becoming fully in the moment. This is the practice of concentrating on either an external or internal object with the exclusion of all other thoughts. (like a candle or a chakra.) This is becoming fully in the moment.

22. Dhyana Meditation Meditation The unbroken stillness of the mind. When meditation is attained, the mind is empty of thoughts and one can see themselves. The unbroken stillness of the mind. When meditation is attained, the mind is empty of thoughts and one can see themselves. Brings about mental peace and physical peace as well. Brings about mental peace and physical peace as well.

23. Samadhi The superconscious state or enlightenment. This is a state beyond description. The superconscious state or enlightenment. This is a state beyond description. Samadhi is pure bliss. Samadhi is pure bliss.