The Four Paths of Yoga: Bringing Ancient Wisdom into Everyday Life with I AM BEING in London
Yoga Beyond the Mat…and it REALLY is Beyond the Mat.
When most of us think of yoga, we picture the graceful flow of postures, the gentle stretch of morning sunlight through a studio window, or the deep exhale that follows a good savasana. But yoga is so much more than physical movement.
The word yoga means union and it is the connection between body, mind, and spirit; between our inner and outer worlds; between us and everything around us. Thousands of years ago, ancient yogis described four main paths of yoga, four ways to live this union every day. These paths invite us to live with more compassion, awareness, and balance, whether we are meditating, washing the dishes, helping a friend, or cuddling our children goodnight.
At I AM BEING in London, we honour yoga not just as something to do, but something to be. Each path offers a doorway to this deeper sense of being, and the beauty is that you don’t have to choose one. You can weave them all into the rhythm of your life.
The Four Paths of Yoga
The four classical paths of yoga are:
- Karma Yoga – The Path of Action
- Bhakti Yoga – The Path of Devotion
- Jnana Yoga – The Path of Wisdom
- Raja Yoga – The Path of Meditation and Mindfulness
Each one guides us towards the same destination: union, peace, and inner freedom. Yet each speaks to a different part of who we are — our hearts, our minds, our hands, and our spirit.
Let’s explore each one and see how you can bring it gently into your everyday life, at home, with your children, in the workplace, or even walking through the busy streets of London.
Karma Yoga: The Path of Selfless Action
Karma Yoga is about doing, but doing from the heart. It is the yoga of service, kindness, and generosity. It teaches us to act without attachment to reward, without expectation, and with love as our guide.
In our modern world, this might sound idealistic. But Karma Yoga simply invites us to do what needs to be done — to help, to serve, to show up and to let go of needing anything in return.
Everyday Examples of Karma Yoga
Helping without expectation: When a friend calls needing to talk, you listen, not to fix, but to truly hear.
Parenting with presence: Making breakfast for your children with patience and love, even on the mornings when they’re slow to get ready, is Karma Yoga in action.
At work: Supporting a colleague with a project, offering guidance, or even making the tea run are acts of service when done with care.
Community service: Joining local clean-up days, volunteering, or helping out at a school event or cacao ceremony are all forms of Karma Yoga.
At I AM BEING events in London, we often see Karma Yoga come alive in how people share cups of cacao, hold space for one another, and offer a smile to a stranger. These small moments are powerful ripples of connection.
Bhakti Yoga: The Path of Devotion and Love
Bhakti Yoga is the path of the heart. It’s all about love… love for life, for others, for nature, and for something greater than ourselves. It’s not about religion or rules; it’s about remembering that love itself is sacred.
Bhakti Yoga is what you feel when you’re singing together in a cacao ceremony, when you’re moved by music, or when your heart swells watching your children play. It’s devotion, not in the sense of duty, but of deep connection.
Everyday Examples of Bhakti Yoga
Start the day with gratitude: Before you rush into your morning, take a breath and say thank you for your body, your home, your breath, and your loved ones.
Music and chanting: Put on your favourite mantra or calming music in the car or while making dinner. Singing from the heart is one of the simplest ways to awaken Bhakti.
Love through touch: Hug your children tightly, hold your partner’s hand, stroke your pet’s fur. These are acts of love that connect you to the divine in the ordinary.
Offer your heart: At a yoga or cacao ceremony, when you close your eyes and set an intention of love, you are practising Bhakti.
At I AM BEING in London, Bhakti is at the heart of every gathering; through the warmth of community, the softness of music, and the spirit of gratitude that flows through every circle.
Jnana Yoga: The Path of Wisdom and Self-Inquiry
Jnana Yoga is the yoga of knowledge, but not book knowledge. It’s the deeper wisdom that arises from self-reflection, from asking: Who am I beneath all my roles?
This path invites you to question your thoughts, your patterns, and your assumptions, not to judge them, but to see yourself more clearly. Jnana Yoga brings awareness to the stories we tell ourselves and helps us return to truth.
Everyday Examples of Jnana Yoga
Pause before reacting: When your child spills juice on the floor, before reacting, take a deep breath. Notice what’s arising in you, frustration, impatience, maybe laughter, and see it without judgement.
Journalling: Write down your thoughts in the morning. Ask yourself gentle questions like What do I need today? What am I learning?
Conscious conversations: With friends, explore deeper questions. What brings you peace? What makes you feel alive? Sharing from this space invites wisdom.
Reading with awareness: Read spiritual or reflective books not just to “know,” but to feel what resonates.
Jnana Yoga is about seeing through illusion, realising that peace isn’t something to find; it’s what you already are. At I AM BEING, we often guide this inquiry through meditation, discussion, and the sacred stillness between words.
Raja Yoga: The Path of Meditation and Mind Mastery
Raja Yoga is sometimes called the royal path because it weaves all the others together through the stillness of meditation and mindful living. It’s the yoga of the mind, helping us find balance, clarity, and inner calm.
Raja Yoga teaches that by mastering our thoughts, we master our lives. But this isn’t about control; it’s about awareness.
Everyday Examples of Raja Yoga
Mindful breathing: Take three deep breaths before you open your phone in the morning. Notice how that tiny pause changes the energy of your day.
Walking meditation: As you walk through London, perhaps along the Thames, through a park, or even to the Tube, notice the rhythm of your steps and your breath.
Mindful parenting: Before reacting when tensions rise, close your eyes and feel your feet on the ground. Be still for a moment, and then respond with calm presence.
Evening reflection: Sit quietly before bed, place your hand on your heart, and observe your thoughts with gentleness.
At I AM BEING, our yoga and sound sessions often close with meditation or deep relaxation. These moments of stillness remind us that peace isn’t something far away; it’s always within.
Integrating the Four Paths into Everyday Life
You don’t have to set aside hours a day to live yoga. You can sprinkle it through your life like sunlight through leaves. Here’s how the four paths can dance together in simple, modern ways:
A morning cup of cacao (Bhakti): Brewed with love and intention, it becomes an act of devotion and connection.
Helping a neighbour carry shopping (Karma): A small, selfless act that uplifts both hearts.
Reflecting on your emotions (Jnana): Asking what they’re teaching you rather than resisting them.
Breathing deeply before a meeting (Raja): Returning to presence even in the busiest of moments.
When we combine these paths, life itself becomes our yoga practice. Every smile, every choice, every breath becomes sacred.
Practising the Four Paths with I AM BEING in London
At I AM BEING, our yoga, sound, and cacao experiences are all inspired by these four paths.
Karma Yoga: Each event is created with love and service, from the way we prepare the space to the warmth of how we welcome each guest.
Bhakti Yoga: Music, mantra, and community connection are woven through every experience.
Jnana Yoga: We invite gentle self-inquiry, asking, What is stirring within me today?
Raja Yoga: Stillness and meditation complete every journey, grounding the energy and restoring balance.
Whether you come for a Yoga with I AM BEING class, a sound bath, or a cacao ceremony in London, each moment is an invitation to live yoga, not just on the mat, but in your being.
Yoga Is the Art of Living
Yoga is not a destination. It’s not about touching your toes; it’s about touching your truth.
When you live through the heart of Bhakti, the kindness of Karma, the clarity of Jnana, and the stillness of Raja, you are already walking the yogic path. Whether you’re making tea, caring for your family, leading a meeting, or simply breathing, you are practising yoga — because yoga is the art of being present.
At I AM BEING in London, we invite you to explore these paths gently, in your own way. Each breath, each action, each loving moment is a step closer to the wholeness that’s already within you.
Being,
Gizelle Renee Xx
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