Mindfulness and Yoga in Schools A Guide for Teachers and Practitioners

196 • Part III: YOGa FOr EDUCatING FOr SELF-rEGULatION aND ENGaGEMENt CHaPtEr 9: YOGa aS EMBODIED SELF-rEGULatION aND ENGaGEMENt • 197

and nurtures external experiences. This version of self is different from the version of self

that might ignore or be reactive to feelings, get caught in obsessive or negative thinking, fail

to care for or attempt to harm the body, engage in invalidating or hurtful relationships, or

internalize cultural values that are in conflict with health and positive relationships. Yoga

allows you to practice checking in and cultivating positive attunements inside and out. The

traditional schools of yoga were the first yogic pathways to this attunement. Typical secular,

school-based yoga practices are quite distinct from these traditional forms. It is good for

school personnel to know what these traditional forms are called and to what they refer. The

traditional forms of yoga are very briefly described here (see Table 9.3).

Over the past 150 years, many styles of contemporary yoga have emerged from various tra-

ditions and for a variety of functions including stress relief, fitness, community, and spirituality.

The list and brief descriptions in Table 9.4 are offered to provide a brief overview of some of the

main styles of yoga. It is important to note that there are so many different types of yoga that

it is not feasible for all of them to be listed here. Several of the more popular styles of yoga are

listed and described in alphabetical order. Note that there is no generally accepted source that

delineates all types of yoga (Cook-Cottone, 2015). Sources and discrepancies and similarities

between and among sources are cited in Table 9.4 ( Cook-Cottone, 2015).

taBLE 9.3 traditional Forms of Yoga

Raja Yoga The first form of yoga; Raja yoga is focused on the mind, consciousness,

and character. Rather than reliance on rational thought, it is the pursuit of

wisdom through the techniques of focused attention, concentration, and

contemplation with the intention of discipline of the mind.

Hatha Yoga Hatha yoga, or post-classical yoga, is the yoga of health, integrating postures

(i.e., asanas), breath work, and meditation as a path to physical health and

well-being as a preparation for meditation.

Jnana Yoga Jnana is referred to as the yoga of knowledge, wisdom, awareness, and

discrimination. This yogic path involves meditation and contemplation using

conceptual, rational thought to bring the mind toward higher consciousness.

Mantra Yoga In Mantra yoga, the practitioner uses a focus on mantra (i.e., sounds and

words) as a tool for self-regulation of the mind.

Karma Yoga Karma yoga is considered the yoga of service for everyday life. Karma yoga

emphasizes an intentional focus on cultivating good deeds in action without

expectation or attachment to reward, outcome, or acknowledgment.

Bhakti Yoga Bhakti yoga is the yoga of devotion. The practice involves devotion,

compassion, and selfless love for something bigger than yourself. It is

believed that a life of work devoted to others facilitates the journey through

the personal self toward the experience of the authentic self.

Tantra Yoga Tantra yoga is the yoga of symbolic experiences designed to weave mind and

body into one. Closely associated with spirituality, Tantra has a long history

with roots in Hinduism and Tibetan Buddhism.

Kundalini Yoga Also spiritual in nature, Kundalini yoga involves awakening and assimilation

of the energy of consciousness. Kundalini yoga targets mind-body-spirit

integration through cultivation and regulation of energy.

Source: Anderson and Sovik (2000), Cook-Cottone (2015), Gard et al. (2014), Simpkins and Simpkins (2011), and

Stephens (2010).