Raja Yoga - The King of All Yoga
 There are many different types of yoga that are practiced throughout the world, but there are few that are as highly regarded as raja yoga. Meaning royal yoga, this type is one of the oldest schools of yoga, is described in the Yoga Sutras, and is one of the six orthodox schools of Hindu. Until recently, raja yoga was simply referred to as yoga, having been the oldest form from which all others are derived. However, it was renamed in recent years to raja yoga in order to distinguish it from newer schools of hatha yoga.
What sets raja yoga apart from many modern forms of the practice is that it focuses heavily on the mind. It is believed that a healthy body is the result of a healthy mind, and therefore a lot of emphasis is put on the use of yoga meditation in this practice.
Because of this belief, raja yoga tends to focus on the more spiritual upper four limbs, or principles, of Ashtanga (eight limbed) yoga, while hatha yoga puts more of an emphasis on the more physical bottom four. The upper limbs include:
- Pratyahara - detachment of the senses
- Dharana - concentration
- Dyana - yoga meditation
- Samadhi - detachment from the body
Raja yoga is still practiced today and it is a great way to not only strengthen your body, but also your mind. However, like any new alternative treatment or exercise, it is important to consult with your doctor to ensure you are healthy enough for this or any other yoga practice.
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