Karma Yoga is a system which develops immunity to the reactive and negative components of an action. This awareness of action leads to a greater ability to manage mental associations in the form of desires, ambitions, ego and other personality complexes.

The aim of Karma Yoga is to gain freedom from the bondage of karma which restricts and inhibits dynamic, creative and constructive expression in life. In the Bhagavad Gita Sri Krishna has emphasised the need for action as a means to become truly human and attain divine grace.

Karma Yoga is a sadhana and not a practice. The state of Karma Yoga can be attained through seva (selfless involvement in all activities), the spirit of which can be imbibed under the guidance of a competent master.

Some of the components of Karma Yoga are:

• Right attitude
• Do your duty
• Do your best
• Give up results
• Follow the discipline of the job

Raja Yoga usually refers to the system of yoga that is described in the Yoga Sutras of Sage Patanjali. In this ancient text Sage Patanjali describes eight stages of yoga which are known collectively as Raja Yoga.

Raja Yoga is a comprehensive yoga system which deals with the refinement of human behaviour and personality through the practice of the yamas (restraint) and niyamas (disciplines); attainment of physical health and vitality through asanas (postures) and pranayamas (pranic breathing techniques); management of mental and emotional conflicts and development of awareness and concentration through pratyahara (sensory withdrawal) and dharana (concentration); and developing the creative aspect of consciousness for transcendental awareness through dhyana (meditation) and samadhi (absorption in the universal identity).

The Yamas - or restraints (Don'ts) are divided into five moral injuctions, aimed at destroying the lower nature.

• Ahimsa
• Satyam
• Brahmacharya
• Asteya
• Aparigraha

Niyamas - The Niyamas or observances (Do's) are also divided into five and complete the ethical precepts started with the Yama. These qualities are:

• Saucha
• Santosha
• Tapas
• Swadhyaya
• Ishwara Pranidhana

Bhakti Yoga is the path of devotion, emotion, love, compassion, and service to God and others. All actions are done in the context of remembering 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

• Shravana – "listening" to the ancient scriptures, especially potent if told by a saint or genuine bhakta.
• Kirtana – "singing" devotional songs.
• Smarana – "remembering" the Divine by constantly meditating upon its name and form.
• Padasevana – "service at the feet" of the Divine, which incorporates the practice of karma yoga (selfless service) with bhakti (devotion).
• Archana – the "ritual worship" of the Divine through practices such as puja (deity worship), and havan or homa (fire offering).
• Vandana – the "prostration" before the image of one's chosen image or representation of the Divine.
• Dasya – the "unquestioning" devotion of the Divine involving the cultivation of serving the will of God instead of one’s own ego.
• Sakhya – the "friendship" and relationship established between the Divine and the devotee.
• Atmanivedana – the "self-offering" and complete surrender of the self to the Divine.

Kriya yoga means 'the yoga of practice, movement or action'. Unlike the various religious, mystical or yogic practices which demand mental control, the special instruction in the system of kriya yoga is, 'Do not worry about the mind.' If your mind is dissipating or if there are distractions in your mind and you are not able to concentrate even for one second, it does not matter. You have only to continue with your practices, for even without confronting, controlling or trying to balance the mind, you can still evolve.

We should not consider the techniques of kriya yoga as practices of concentration or meditation as their aim is not mental control. The beauty of kriya yoga is that you have only to remain relaxed and let the mind move naturally and spontaneously. Inner awareness will then awaken, and in time, your mind will automatically become one-pointed.