Every individual has got unique personality. Every one of us is different from each other. Yoga has more than hundred different paths. It depends on the different schools of yoga. Hatha yoga, Raja yoga, Karma yoga, Bakthi yoga, Gyana yoga are some of the major yoga paths. The major yoga path is Raja yoga. The other branches of traditional yoga are as follows: Patanjali yoga, Swara yoga, Kundalini yoga, Dhyana yoga, Laya yoga, Japa yoga and Kriya yoga.

Goal of yoga:

Though there are different paths available, the aim of all the yoga schools are one. It is well compared with the rivers and ocean. The origin and path of each and every river is different. But all rivers get into one ocean. If you look at the river, they are different in their style. But once they are merged into the ocean, they are no more having different identity. They all become one. It is like that, yoga paths are different, but their goal is one. So, according to the mental make up of an individual, each person can choose the right path to himself and continue the practice.

Raja Yoga:

Raja means king. Yoga means union. This branch of yoga is also called the kingly path of yoga. It is an advanced method of yoga practice. Raja yoga helps to explore the conscious, sub-conscious and unconscious states of mind you will able to know your unconscious state of your mind though you are able to do things consciously.

Raja yoga progressively takes you to the deep layers or inner layers of your mind. Every yoga in certain stage recommends the practice of Raja yoga. Patanjali’s raja yoga technique has got eight stages. It is also called as astanga yoga. The raja yoga of patanjali system is as follows.

1. Yama

They are known as self restraints. They have got five important divisions as follows:

a)      Ahimsa: himsa in Sanskrit means violence. Ahimasa means non violence. Non-violence is the first among the yamas.

b)      Sathya: Sathya means truth. The yoga practitioner’s need to follow non-violence and speak truth.

c)      Astheya: Stheya in Sanskrit means taking other persons property without their knowledge. Astheya is not taking other persons materials. If it is followed the problem with theft can be resolved fully from the world.

d)      Brahmacharya: Brahmacharya is fourth rule in the yama. Brahma means God, the supreme one. Acharya means a life style or conduct. Brahmacharya in its complete sense is a life style through which one can gain complete godliness. If you are adopting brahmacharya life then your practices should lead you towards realization of Brahma.

e)      Aparigraha: It is not hoarding more things with us. Accumulating more and more properties which may not require to our life can lead you for more attachment. This also leads other people to suffer for their needs. Yoga practitioners are asked not to accumulate things with them. Aparigraha helps for detachment and purify of mind.