This question is from the September Yogi Blog that did not get posted to our site.

Raja Yoga is the “royal path” of yoga.  It comes to us from the traditions of India.  The other paths of yoga are:  Bhakti Yoga (devotion), Jnana Yoga (study of sacred texts), Japa Yoga (mantra repetition), Karma Yoga (self-less service), Hatha Yoga (asana), Kriya Yoga (cleanses). 

Raja yoga is divided into 8 limbs of yoga: Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, and Samadhi.  Rather than studying them separately, or one exclusively, all 8 are undertaken in order to reach a state of balance in life.  It is felt that if a state of balance can be achieved, peace would follow.

 In the United States, many people think of yoga classes as simply a series of postures that a teacher leads us through, and that’s it.  Some do it to get fit.  Many Christian Summer Camps in the 1950’s taught it as a way to get fit.  But the practice of yoga is much more than that. 

 Raja Yoga was introduced to the United States in 1893 by Swami Vivekananda at the World Parliament of Religions Conference in Chicago, Ill.  He was there from India representing Hinduism.  He gave a beautiful recitation on the Royal Path of Yoga as a viable path to world peace.  The crowds were so taken by him and his gentle demeanor that he was invited back several times to the United States to speak of this thing called Raja Yoga.  He eventually opened a school of yoga in New York, but focused primarily on the philosophy of yoga.  Other schools of yoga began to open without referring to themselves as providers of Raja Yoga.  The teachers from India would introduce all of the 8 limbs of yoga (Raja Yoga) to their students but focused on Asana.  Over time many of the other limbs were used only as side bar issues to bring up in class.  Soon yoga only focused on Asana driven classes and by the 1980’s yoga became the “in thing to do” the idea of being a viable path to peace was forgotten.

 There are still some studios that provide all 8 limbs of yoga to their students and openly teach the 8 limbs, but they are few and far between.  Some teach from these principles, but do not openly teach all 8 limbs.  That’s a shame, there are many jewels in the 8 limbs.  Skills we could use right now in the world that would help us cope with the world around us, and maybe return us to a path toward peace.