The English term "yoke" is connected with the word yoga, which literally means "act of joining."
Similarly to how the latter term may apply to both
the act of yoking and the item to which animals are yoked, yoga can refer to
both the act or process of spiritual growth as well as a particular body of
teachings that support this development.
The term "discipline" may express both of these
connotations, and it is one of the most popular interpretations.
There are a variety of specialized teachings that call
themselves yogas.
The earliest is described in the Yoga Sutras, which are
attributed to the sage Patanjali; this method is referred regarded as ashtanga
("eight-limbed") yoga because of its eight components.
The three "paths" outlined by the deity Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita, an important religious literature, are also well-known yogas:
the yogas of action (karma), knowledge (jnana), and devotion (bhakti).
Another well-known yoga is kundalini yoga, which is purely
internal and takes place in the subtle body, an alternate physiological system.
Kundalini yoga focuses on reawakening the kundalini, a
dormant spiritual force that dwells in everyone, and reaping spiritual benefits
as a result.
These are the most common categories of teachings, however many religious groups may refer to their religious practice as yoga:
The Radha
Soamis' surat-shabd yoga, the Brahma Kumaris' Raja Yoga, and the SYDA
Foundation's Siddha Yoga are examples.
In some circumstances, the term is used to describe a
religious group's distinctive teaching, which frequently contains aspects from
traditional yoga articulations.
You may also want to read more about Hinduism here.
Be sure to check out my writings on religion here.
