can refer to 2 different concepts: 1) Raja yoga, the 8-limbed or 8-fold path, which dates to the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, or 2) the modern style invented by Pattabhi Jois in the 1920s. Both comprise 3 main parts—poses or postures (asanas), a controlled breathing style (pranayama) and meditation—and are ideally taught as a supervised self-practice moving at an individual's own pace and with regular practice highly emphasized. The original 8 “limbs” are briefly described below as the language is used in the modern version, which is more the focus of this report.

1. Yama (self-control) deals with ethical behavior, living in harmony and practicing right social conduct. Yoga tradition gives importance to developing a balanced personality.
2. Niyama (self-regulation) denotes a set of requirements adopted by the practitioner, specifically purity, contentment, austerity, study, and surrender as a duty.
3. Asana (physical poses or postures) revolves around sitting, firm but relaxed, for timeless periods. This is achieved through practicing a set of other postures focused on a specific area of the body (sitting, standing, or inverted) for well-being, flexibility, and meditation.
4. Pranayama (mastery of breath or vital air) is a 3-step model of controlled breathing (take it inside through the nose, retain it, then discharge it through the mouth), thus honing concentration and ability to focus.
5. Pratyahara (control of the senses) is the bridge between the external and internal aspects of yoga. The senses are withdrawn from anything unwholesome, which requires mastery of the flow of prana (energy).
6. Dharana (concentration) is the beginning of true meditation. Concentration is achieved by focusing on a single point or object. Stillness and silence are required for deep meditation.
7. Dhyana (meditation) advances to meditation, in which consciousness of the act of meditation disappears and the practitioner is conscious only of existence and the object of concentration.
8. Samadhi (self-realization) is translated as ecstasy or non-dualistic consciousness—the ultimate aim of yoga practice, in which the mind becomes still and the consciousness of the experiencing subject becomes one with the object of meditation.

is the branch of traditional yoga that concentrates on physical and mental strength from a specific combination of postures derived from 3 Hindu texts. It strives for physical purification through postures (asanas) and breathing (pranayama), which prepare the student for higher meditation. In the West, it is primarily used for exercise and/or stress-reduction.

(corpse posture or death pose) is an asana that is an essential part of Hatha yoga practice, usually at the end of a session. Lying on the back, the eyes are closed and the whole body is relaxed onto the floor with an awareness of each breath. All parts of the body are scanned for muscular tension, which is consciously released as it is found.

is a state of deep, sleep-like relaxation achieved through meditative techniques. There have been many modern schools of yoga based on Hatha yoga since about 1960:

• Bikram yoga classes run for 90 minutes and consist of a series of 26 postures, including 2 breathing exercises. It is ideally practiced in a room heated to 40 °C (104 °F) with 40% humidity.
• Hot yoga refers to any yoga practice performed under hot and humid conditions. Often associated with the style devised by Bikram Choudhury, hot yoga is now used to describe any number of yoga styles that use heat to increase an individual's flexibility in the poses.
• Iyengar yoga emphasizes detail, precision, anatomical alignment, and use of props in the performance of over 200 postures (asanas) and 14 breathing exercises (pranayama). It is particularly popular in the West where yoga is often used as a form of exercise for flexibility.
• Jivamukti yoga is a physical, ethical, and spiritual practice that combines Hatha yoga with adherence to 5 central tenets: shastra (scripture), bhakti (devotion), ahimsa (non-harming), nāda (music), and dhyana (meditation). Social activism is also emphasized.
• Kripalu yoga uses inner focus, meditation, yoga poses, breathing, quieting the mind, and relaxation to observe physical, mental, and emotional experience. Kripalu emphasizes “following the flow” of prana, compassionate self-acceptance, and taking what is learned into daily life.
• Power yoga moves at a faster, more vigorous pace. It emphasizes the physical aspects of yoga (strength training and flexibility) and is not as focused on breath control or meditation.
• Sivananda yoga revolves around more Western principles of preserving health and well-being through stretching, proper diet and exercise, positive thinking, relaxation and yogic breathing. The yoga part of the practice is usually comprised of pranayama, sun salutations, and 12 asanas.
• Vinyasa yoga is faster paced. The asanas (postures) are linked together in series that are synchronized with the breath. Generally speaking, upward movements correlate with inhalations, and downward movements with exhalations. The continual movement gives added cardiovascular benefit, which more traditional forms of yoga do not have.
• Viniyoga includes asanas, pranayama, bandha, sound, chanting, meditation, personal ritual, and the study of texts. Viniyoga™ is used to refer to an approach to yoga that adapts the various means and methods of practice to the unique condition, needs, and interests of each individual.
• YogaFit is a large yoga teacher training and yoga certification program offering retreats, conferences, and branded yoga apparel.

the yoga of awareness— is an ancient Sikh school of yoga related to Hatha yoga. It focuses on awakening kundalini energy through the regular practice of meditation, breathing (pranayama), postures (asanas), and chanting (mantras). The practice uses fewer postures and more “yogic locks” (bandhas), which engage the 7 Chakra. There have been schools and practices based on Kundalini yoga as well.

is a chanting or sound-singing exercise from Kundalini yoga.

creates the state of self-realization produced by spontaneous Kundalini awakening through thoughtless awareness or mental silence. One does not practice in order to achieve awakening. Awakening occurs spontaneously through the meditation.

(1950) emphasizes meditation by silently focusing the attention on mantras, chants, and the breath. Siddha Yoga practices help the seeker expand the inner mystical state.

(SKY) centers on simple rhythmic breathing practices (from slow and calming to rapid and stimulating) to harmonize the body, mind, and emotions. The technique is designed to lower stress and eliminate negative emotions, leaving the body relaxed.