Yet yoga is defined as union, integration, or perhaps even as balance. Thus, it is counterintuitive to speak of separate and distinct versions of a practice that aims at one-ness, and futile to try. While each yoga practice is effectively a unique and indivual practice, all practices are rooted together in some common fundamentals, things that make yoga what it is, and not some open-ended catch-basin for any and all practices that espouse control of the mind, enlightenment, or integrated human fulfillment as their goals.
Yoga is indeed composed of many facets or compnents, the fundamental core around which various 'versions' accrete. These components are not distinct and separate, but parts of one whole. That is why one often sees yoga and yogic principles described in terms of the lotus flower; each petal appears separate and distinct, but each is an essential part of one integrated and unified whole.
These components are perhaps best defined by Ashtanga (or eight-petaled) yoga, which rests on a foundation of eight basic principles and practices. Many of the core restraints and observances are universal, based on non-violence, truth, sharing, and other fundamental attributes, which are basically shared with and echoed by belief systems and moral codes throughout history, regardless of time or society.
While yoga uses meditation and breath-control techniques, it is different from other schools in that it realizes that it is difficult (indeed, virtually impossible) to experience the stillness of the mind before one experiences the stillness of the body. Another differentiator between yoga and other belief systems (none are similar to, nor are any peer to yoga) is that yoga seeks not to control the mind or breath, but to allow it ... it seeks not to disavow to ego or the mind, but to integrate them. Finally, yoga seeks not to improve merely one or another facet of personal development (such as knowledge, social action, etc.), but to simultaneously transform, integrate, and balance all facets of the person; physical, mental, and spiritual.
Yet even among yogis who realize these principles and should know better, distinctions arise, comparisons are made, and individual choices are made about what type of practices are or are not incorporated into yoga practice. Some even abandon the core fundamentals, seeking to gain enlightenment (or even integration and balance) while ignoring key components of the whole (such as physical practice, breath control, or service to others).
This is somewhat analogous to a blade of grass shaking its fist at the sky and proclaiming its independence and uniqueness, carrying on about how it exists separately of other blades of grass. Perhaps nearer to the point would be the analogy of a single petal of a flower proclaiming its separation and independence from the rest of the flower, upon which it depends. Yet perhaps the best analogy of all is that of separate ingedients of a recipe trying to claim to be able to make the whole recipe alone.
Yoga is a balance, a recipe, that must be mixed and cooked just right to come out with the desired outcome; not just improvement of flexibility of physical skills, but transformation and elevation of the entire person to a whole new plane of existence.
So when people speak of the different types of yoga, they speak either from their ignorance, or (perhaps most likely) from convenience, which allows them to describe outward differences in practice easily, while retaining the core fundamentals which all 'styles' who wish to call themselves yoga must share:
-non-violence and non-harming of all beings
-consideration and respect for others
-physical and breath control practice
-meditation and mindfulness practice
-service to others
If the 'style' practiced does not actively practice these basics (in actuality as well as theory), then it falls short of the yogic goals of union and integration. Any ideology or belief or practice that speaks of division, separation, or discrimination cannot be yoga.
Thus, there is only one yoga. The true sadhaka (aspirant or practitioner) will integrate and balance all types of yogic practice; combining karma, service, praise, meditation, control of the breath and body, and knowledge/wisdom to synthesize and harmonize all the 'type' of yoga (AKA raja, bhakti, hatha, karma, kriya, etc.) into One Yoga.
That is why my 'style' of yoga is called One Yoga; it combines the best of all practices, traditional and modern/emerging. It sees yoga as all One. It seeks to recognize commonalities and forge alliances, rather than to identify divisions and distinctions. It seeks harmony rather than separateness. That is why all our styles are One Yoga. We are all One. All is One and one is All.
AUM, Shanti, Shanti, Shantihiiii
"I am he as you are he as you are me and we are all together"
-John Lennon
"All One"
-Krishna Das
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