Four Paths of Yoga

The Four Paths of Yoga offer a complete roadmap for spiritual growth, inner balance and self-realisation. Rooted in the ancient yogic tradition and clearly articulated by Swami Sivananda, these four approaches recognise that individuals have different temperaments—intellectual, emotional, active, and introspective. By integrating all four paths, the practitioner develops harmoniously in heart, mind and action.

Karma yoga teaches us the secret of work, how to work and serve selflessly without attachment, egoism and expectation of reward. Work with a caring attitude removes self-centredness. Service without expectations purifies the heart and builds inner freedom. It is the yoga of selfless service to society in all its aspects, family, work, school, friends.

It is the path of channeling and transmuting our emotional nature into pure, unselfish divine love. It is love for love’s sake. It destroys restlessness and distraction of the mind. Through faith, prayer, and worship we surrender to a higher power and develop unconditional love. It is the direct approach to the ideal through the heart. It opens the heart and develops the supreme virtue of humility.

Raja Yoga follows the eight-limb system of Patanjali to still the mind and enter deeper states of concentration and meditation. Raja yoga is the practice of controlling the mind, leading to meditation and the super-conscious state. It attracts those of an analytical, scientific temperament and consists of eight limbs or steps.

Jnana yoga (the yoga of knowledge) is the intellectual approach to spiritual evolution. It demands a subtle, sharp intellect to grasp its fundamental principles. For that reason this path can only be approached once we have established a firm foundation in the other three paths. This intellectual approach uses enquiry and discrimination to understand reality. It guides students toward recognising their true nature.