"There are many paths to the top of the mountain, but the view is always the same."
— Hindu Proverb
Hey lovely,
I was wondering what to write about in this next instalment of our Yogi Notes and realised (I'm pretty sure) that I've never, ever, in the last decade, written about the 4 paths, even though this was a huge part of my yoga teacher training.
Something beautiful about yoga, something I wish more people knew, is that it’s so much bigger than the poses we practice on the mat. Asanas are just one doorway (1 part of the 8 limbs of Raja Yoga, in fact). Yoga, in its fullest expression, offers four main distinct paths, each a different way of understanding ourselves and connecting with something deeper.
Think of them like four rivers leading to the same ocean. Different flavours, different rhythms, different ways of being… but all flowing toward clarity, peace, and awakening.
So today I thought we could breifly explore these four paths together - Bhakti, Jnana, Raja, and Karma Yoga - and see how they quietly weave themselves into our modern lives, often without us even realising.
💗 Bhakti Yoga - The Path of the Heart
Bhakti is the yoga of devotion, love, and surrender. Before you imagine incense-filled temples and chanting all night long (though that can be a thing too), Bhakti is really about allowing love to guide you.
It’s found in moments when your heart softens. When gratitude swells in your chest. When you whisper “thank you” to the universe without even thinking.
It’s the yoga of connection; whether to the divine, nature, music, or the simple miracle of being alive. If you’ve ever cried in savasana because something in you just… opened or felt like it was released... that was Bhakti.
🧠 Jnana Yoga - The Path of Wisdom
Jnana is the yoga of inquiry, reflection, and inner understanding. It’s for the seekers, the thinkers, the ones who love asking big questions like:
"Who am I beneath my thoughts? What is true for me? What stories am I still carrying?"
If you enjoy the philosophy behind yoga, journaling after practice, or exploring your inner world, you’re already practising Jnana. It’s the yoga of turning the mind inward, not to analyse, but to see clearly.
Yoga teaches that knowledge isn’t just in books… It’s in awareness. In silence. In truth felt from the inside out.
🧘♀️ Raja Yoga - The Royal Path
Raja Yoga is the path most of us recognise; the yoga of meditation, breath, and discipline. It’s often called the “royal path” because it weaves everything together: posture, breath, concentration, stillness, and eventually deeper states of meditation.
When you notice your breath during class… When you find a moment of quiet in a busy mind… When you choose presence over reaction… That is Raja Yoga at work.
It’s a path built on practice and patience; showing up, again and again, until stillness becomes a familiar friend instead of a stranger.
Raja in Malay means King 😉
In Sanskrit, it means noble or Royal.
🤲 Karma Yoga - The Path of Action
Karma Yoga is the yoga of service; acting with intention, compassion, and without attachment to the outcome. It’s about doing what is right simply because it feels right.
You practice Karma Yoga when you:
- Help someone spontaneously
- Teach with a full heart
- Share kindness without expecting anything back
- Do your work with integrity
- Clean up the studio props to make the space nicer for the next person
Karma Yoga reminds us that every action leaves a ripple, and we can choose to make our ripples loving ones.
Which Path Is Yours?
Here’s the secret: You don’t have to choose just one. Most of us dance between all four, depending on the day, the season of our life, or the wisdom we most need.
Some days your heart leads (Bhakti). Some days your mind seeks clarity (Jnana). Some days discipline anchors you (Raja). Some days service expands you (Karma).
Each path is valid. Each leads home. And each one enriches your practice far beyond what happens on the mat.
As you journey through this year, maybe notice which path is calling you now. Where are you drawn? What feels nourishing? What feels true?
You might just find a whole new dimension of your yoga waiting there for you.
Over the next 4 weeks, we'll dive deeper into each of these paths because we've only just scratched the surface. Whole volumes have been written about each of these paths.
What's Happening In The Pantry 🧘♀️
We are back with a FULL timetable this week, yesss Francesca is back on board PLUS this Wednesday is YOGA LAB night at 6 pm come and workshop your questions and poses.
Perimenopause anyone? Karryn and I will be running a 6-week course on coping, or dare I say thriving, with Perimenopause and celebrating the wise woman (Sage) you are becoming.
Starting on the 12th of Feb.
Registration is open now!
This is a small group, so book NOW, ladies, or share the booking link with someone you think would benefit from this experience.
Restorative Yoga is back! The second Sunday in March will be dedicated to your rest and relaxation. Yup, our 2-hour delectable restorative yoga workshop is back for March, yay!
Book your spot TODAY
Head here to book all your regular yoga classes. There are only a few more classes to go this year!
Remember, you can join us online from anywhere in the world, live or at a time that suits you, with our instant 14-day on-demand Zoom recording!
Don't forget you can also join us for a FREE meditation session every Saturday morning, and even if you can't, you can book in via Zoom and do the meditation later in the day, or every day, until the next session :)
Your YouTube Class Of The Week
I actually uploaded a NEW video....sort of new, it's the first one from the VIP vids I sent to my members over the cristmas break, yay!
Enjoy.
With love from my path to yours, Tash xx
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Let’s spread the yoga love far and wide!
I see you, and I appreciate you. You are awesome x
