The term yoga has acquired a very reductive meaning in popular culture. It is often referred to as a form of exercise that renders flexibility, and Instagram influencers who know how to twist their bodies in impossible knots have somehow become the supreme authority of what yoga can do. Sometimes, apart from its physical aspect, they throw in a discussion about mental health and meditation and participate in the wokism that seems to have overtaken our lives.

However, in truth, yoga the ultimate union of mind and body has a far more complex, and erudite explanation. In its evolution of 5,000 years, we have come to know several forms of yoga. While Hatha Yoga (which mostly comprises asanas) is the most popular one, it is also the most rudimentary type of yoga. Other types of yoga, that move beyond physical practice include Iyenger yoga, Kundalini yoga, Bikram yoga etc. Another form of yoga that is easy to practice, and can be incorporated in our daily lives is called Ashtanga Yoga or Raj Yoga.If you are hearing about this form of yoga for the first time, worry not, you arent alone.

ET Panache Digital spoke to Himalayan Siddha, Akshar Founder, Akshar Yoga Research and Development Centre to understand the basis tenets of Raj Yoga and how we can make it a part of our lives. Here are a few excerpts from the interview.

Himalayan Siddha, Akshar, Founder, Akshar Yoga Research and Development Centre

Through this yoga, you learn to manage your emotions better which means you can make yourself happy at any given point of time, feed yourself whenever you feel hungry and live your life according to your own desire. Raj Yoga focuses on the development of all three important aspects of your life which is physical, mental, and spiritual growth. You will begin to notice an immediate change in the physical aspect when you start this practice because Raj Yoga demands discipline out of you. You will have to rise along with the sun in the morning and do your practice. Raj Yoga is a science based holistic solution.In Raj Yoga, even the utensils that you use have to be planned with much thought as any and all metals are not allowed and only silver, gold, clay and even certain leaves are used as containers for food. There are specific reasons as to why each material is beneficial for you for example using banana leaves is considered to be a very good habit as it energizes your food and enriches it. Walking is an integral part of Raj Yoga as the practice encourages you to walk regularly as a form of exercise for the mind, body and soul. Raj Yoga will also train you on the correct tone of voice to use and how this can have an impact on your communication with others.

Tratak is beneficial for the eyes and this helps your vision become better and how standing positions in Raj Yoga will strengthen your body and help to eliminate problems like sciatica. It also helps to shape the mind and make you able to prioritise better. When the mind is better organised you will be able to discern for yourself the activities and people that will support you in your growth and where you should put your attention.

How is Raj Yoga different from Hatha Yoga?Hatha Yoga is an ancient system that focuses on the science of Kriyas known as shatkarma. As this form of Yoga involves the body to be forced to achieve its asanas, pranayamas or the cleansing rituals, the practitioners referred to it as the form of yoga that requires force.

Hatha Yoga Pradipika is a book that most Hatha Yoga practitioner of the modern world have read through. This book was first written by Swatmaram, disciple of Guru Gorakshnath. The 'Hatha Yoga Pradipika' is a compilation of Hatha Yoga as taught by Guru Gorakshanth and his guru, Maharishi Matsyendranath. This book describes the means and ways in the form of Asanas, Pranayams , Mudras , Bandhas , Shatkarmas to become a Hatha Yogi. Hatha yoga is a spiritual practice which means that it is about detachment from the material world and attachment to the higher planes. While practicing Hatha Yoga, we will disconnect from society and remove ourselves to more secluded locations like the mountains etc.

Raj Yoga as the name suggests is the king of yogas. In this form of yoga Lord Krishna is a central figure and plays a very important role. This is because lord Krishna demonstrated the power of yoga showing how when one practices yoga he can live his life king size and evolve himself for the greater good. In Raj Yoga we can learn about the way in which to overcome lifes challenges and still be able to emerge triumphant. Raj Yoga focuses on development of the brain and attention is given to behaviour, life skills and how you lead this life. There is no room for error in Raj Yoga because it teachers you perfection. You must learn from the mistakes of others and from society in order to bring perfection into everything that you do.

The eight limbs discussed in Ashtanga yoga are Yama, Niyama, Asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana and Samadhi. All of these 8 limbs need to be worked on simultaneously and not sequentially.

The eight limbs discussed in Ashtanga yoga are Yama, Niyama, Asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana and Samadhi. All of these 8 limbs need to be worked on simultaneously and not sequentially.

Yama includes Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya (non-covetousness), Aparigraha, Brahmacharya (celibacy).

Niyama involves Saucha, Santosha, Ishwarapranidhana, Tapasya and Swadhyaya.

Raj Yoga focuses on meditation and how you can master this for your growth and development. It brings attention to perfection in every task that you undertake. Raj Yoga highlights on learning all aspects of human development.

Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha are the four main tenets that Raj Yoga focuses on. In order to become a master of these four areas, learning begins from a very early age where a child is trained in communication, body language, behaviour and in every possible way to prosper and achieve success in this life. All the training is done in the most organic and natural way without any sort of artificial enhancements. The approach is a purely holistic one. Yoga teaches you to be your most authentic self because this is what brings holistic growth and victory.

Can Raj Yoga be followed by those who have corporate jobs? In Raj Yoga the primary requirement for anybody is to keep yourself as clean as possible. It is absolutely possible for corporate professionals to adapt to the practice of Raj Yoga as this was made for us to live life better. But most of us have become very material oriented which means that we do not put heart and soul into what we are doing and mostly do things without any purpose. For example a person who is focused on earning his livelihood is satisfied when he is well fed and clothed and does not care beyond his own needs. This is called being materialistic and Raj Yoga goes to higher levels of existence.

In the corporate world Raj Yoga principles can be applied 100% because it is not a question of you versus anybody else but it is a competition only between you and your own self. Rather than filling yourself with negative emotions like envy, jealousy, anger, greed and unhealthy competition when looking at other peoples achievement Raj Yoga tells you to focus on your own skill building. How can you develop your own skills in order to reach a greater level of success without bringing down anybody else or envying another persons success? -- Raj Yogas focus is on you reaching your highest and truest potential through your own hard work and merit.

When the mind is better organised you will be able to discern for yourself the activities and people that will support you in your growth and where you should put your attention.

To practice this you must form a thought and then put your entire focus on this thought while you do your tratak meditation. Along with this another visualisation meditation technique known as Brahmand Dhyan is used which is the visualizing of the entire universe or cosmos. This will help you envision the vastness of the universe and in turn believe in your own limitless potential.

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Be the master of your mind! From voice control to behavioural patterns, Raj Yoga makes you the king of you - Economic Times