Yoga is practiced by millions of people all over the world; although how they follow it depends on the different techniques or schools of thought. Ancient Hindu scriptures have talked about how different forms of yoga focus on different aspects, although the objective remains the same – healing the body and focusing on inner peace.

The Different Schools of Yoga

Hatha Yoga

If you believe that physical fitness is the way to achieve spiritual fulfilment, you subscribing to the school of hatha yoga. One of the most popular forms of yoga practiced today, it is believed to have originated as early as the 12th century. This form of yoga encompasses all the asanas that you might be performing on a daily basis; it also places great emphasis on pranayama (breathing exercises) as well as the mudras for pranayama. 

Bhakti Yoga

Bhakti yoga is a form of devotional yoga that teaches the students to embrace the divine and devote themselves to it. Bhakti yoga does not ask its students to worship any particular deity. This form of yoga has long been known as one that accepts everyone in its fold without any sort of discrimination. 

Kundalini Yoga

Kundalini yoga focuses on channelling the energy inside the body in the right direction. The technique combines asanas, pranayama, and meditation along with chanting mantras. Kundalini yoga is recommended for people who suffer from regular stress as its practice helps students become more understanding and compassionate. The focus required to perform this type of yoga helps people realise their true potential and life purpose. 

Different Goals, Different Methods

We all are looking for different things in life; inner peace can be attained in a multitude of ways. The school of yoga you identify with most may work for you but not someone else. Sometimes you feel more alined to Kundalini and then in several months you are craving Hatha. You will go through your own seasons of preference and take each one with open arms. One is not better than the other. To each their own as, the path each of us follows is slightly different, even if the end goal remains same.