Yoga is usually defined as the union of the limited 'I' (jiva) and the cosmic 'I' (Atman). But more precisely, it is the realization of the unity already existed. Yoga aims at ego eradicating, which represents that aspect of our individuality that makes us feel separate.

Yoga elevates people above material existence, their limitations and imperfections, and gives them the supreme experience of life, filled with bliss and light, which is their true nature. Yoga is the science that gives people power over their body, mind and nature.

Swami Sivananda said: "Yoga is the unity and harmony of thought, word and action, or the unity of head, heart and hands.

It is also appropriate to add here the definitions of yoga taken from the classical text Bhagavad Gita:

"Yoga is equanimity in success and failure"; "Yoga is mastery and efficiency in action"; "Yoga is the supreme mystery of life"; "Yoga bestows inexpressible bliss and eradicates pain".

Patanjali, the author of the classic text Yoga Sutras, defines yoga as "...the total control of all forms and varieties of consciousness".

There are many different paths of yoga, but most of them are just subtle parts of a few basic paths.

Since each individual's personality is unique, we can say that every person has a different spiritual path. On the other hand, there are more commonalities than differences between people: people have several basic characteristic emotions, tendencies to activity, and as a result, yoga can be divided into several paths that address each aspect of the personality.

All the different paths lead to the same Source. They are often compared to different rivers flowing into the sea. At first, they flow quite separately and named differently. But as they move toward the Source, they begin to merge with each other until finally they are swallowed up by the ocean, where they lose their individuality completely.

Different paths of yoga are the same: at first, they have specific characteristics and sometimes even seem contradictory, but as one or more of these paths progresses, their differences disappear. All yogic paths have common goals: physical health, tranquility of mind, and higher awareness. All the yoga variations can be roughly divided into five main groups, corresponding to the most important aspects of our personality:

1. Hatha yoga - the way of balancing the mental, physical and subtle body energies;

2.Raja Yoga - the path of introspection;

3. Bhakti Yoga - the path of devotion and love;

4.Jnana Yoga - the path of exploring and searching;

5.Karma Yoga - the path of activity;

We are all prone to introspection and questions about world structure, nature of life, and other important topics. At the same time, everyone is naturally endowed with some emotional tendencies and constantly performs any actions. Finally, everyone has a mind, a physical body and a pranic body.

It is how these aspects of our consciousness relate to each other that determines our personality. That is, some of us are more emotional or religious than others. Such people are recommended to do bhakti-yoga.

Others are very active and unable to remain moveless: they have to express themselves and act in the outside world. Path of karma yoga is most suitable for such people.

Others are calmer and inclined to observe and analyze their psychological reactions to various life situations, in which case Raja Yoga is recommended.

There are also people who constantly ask questions about the structure of the universe and refuse to accept any answers other than those based on personal experience - jnana yoga is more suitable for them.

Finally, there are those who, being a little bit more down-to-earth, can control the forces of their mind and physical and pranic bodies, bringing them to the best possible state. Hatha yoga is more suitable for them.

According to most yoga masters, such as Satyananda Saraswati, Swami Sivananda, Swami Vivekananda, for example, it is best to practice all types of yoga, emphasizing the one that corresponds to the predominant aspect of the personality. They believe that a person should follow such a path with the greatest fervor, as it will best harmonize with one's own nature. Swami Sivananda believed in “integral yoga", as he named is, where all aspects of the personality are developed through a combination of different yogic paths. He said that one should:

"Serve - Love - Meditate - Comprehend".

This includes all five aspects of being: action, devotion, introspection, exploration and the body (the development of the latter is included in the practice of meditation).