Raja Yoga

Raja means "royal", and meditation is the focal point of this branch of yoga. Raja yoga is considered by some to be a rather difficult form of yoga, because it seeks enlightenment through direct control and mastery of the mind. This approach involves strict devotion to the eight “limbs” of yoga as outlined by Patanajli in the Yoga Sutras. It is also found in many other branches of yoga. It is also sometimes referred to as Ashtanga (eight-limbed) yoga because there are eight aspects to the path to which one must attend.

The eight limbs or branches are:

• Yama - code of conduct - self-restraint

• Niyama - self discipline

• Âsana - posture

• Pranayama - breath control

• Pratyahara - abstraction of the senses, withdrawal of the senses of perception from their objects

• Dharana - concentration

• Dhyana - meditation (quiet activity that leads to samadhi)

• Samadhi - the quiet state of blissful awareness, superconscious state or trance

Raja yoga attracts individuals who can concentrate well and enjoy meditation. Raja Yoga aims at controlling all thought-waves or mental modifications. Members of religious and spiritual communities devote themselves to this branch of yoga.

A Raja Yogi starts his goal with the mind, although a certain minimum of asanas and pranayamas are usually included as a preparation for the meditation and concentration.

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