The Four Paths of Yoga

Eloise Handleigh
Jul 24
3 min read

Hey everyone,

I hope you've all enjoyed the past two weeks of classes.

Here are the past two class themes and intentions.

Challenges

Challenges are opportunities for growth. They remind us of the strength and courage we already have within us. On the mat, they invite us to stay present, breathe deeply, and respond with patience rather than resistance. Off the mat, we can carry these lessons with us by pausing and using one of the many pranayama (breathing) techniques I’ve taught you in class. Whether it’s holding a challenging asana (pose) or sitting with our thoughts in Savasana, practising with mindfulness helps us meet life’s challenges with greater compassion.

For me, my biggest challenge is living with fibromyalgia and the daily headaches and pain that come with it. What helps is reminding myself how much I've overcome over the past few years and repeating to myself, "Today is going to be a good day." Some days that's easier than others, but during difficult moments I try to choose something that will help me feel a little better, whether that's moving my body, resting, or simply taking a few deep breaths.

Intention: I meet challenges with steadiness and grace.

Replenish

To me, replenishing means filling your own cup so you can show up for yourself and the people around you. It's a chance to pause, calm the nervous system, and reconnect with what truly matters.

I'm experiencing this in my own life while recovering from an ankle injury. I was so happy to complete Couch to 5K Week 5, Run 3, the 20-minute continuous run, and felt great afterwards. Unfortunately, I woke up the next day with a painful ankle. As frustrating as it is, I know the best thing I can do right now is give my body the time it needs to heal and replenish.

I'm always reminding myself that rest isn't a reward for working hard, nor is it something we should only do when our bodies force us to stop. Rest is something we need to intentionally make time for. When I don't, everything eventually catches up with me, and my body ends up demanding rest at the most inconvenient time.

Intention: I allow myself to receive rest.

Here's a song I've been loving playing in class recently, Zazen by Isolde Mayer.

Listen here

A Deeper Stretch

The Four Paths of Yoga

The practice of yoga is not tied to any one specific religion. Instead, it has been influenced by a range of spiritual and philosophical traditions over thousands of years. As with everything I teach, it's entirely your choice what you take away and incorporate into your own practice.

The Bhagavad Gita, an ancient Hindu text, describes four traditional paths of yoga. Although each path takes a different approach, they all share the same goal: to cultivate self-awareness, inner peace, and a deeper connection with ourselves, others, and the world around us.

Jnana Yoga: The Path of Knowledge

A journey of wisdom, self-inquiry, and seeking truth through learning and reflection.

Karma Yoga: The Path of Selfless Action

Practising kindness and serving others without attachment to recognition or reward.

Bhakti Yoga: The Path of Love and Devotion

Cultivating love, compassion, gratitude, and devotion towards something greater than ourselves.

Raja Yoga: The Path of Meditation

The path of mental discipline, meditation, and self-mastery, helping to quiet the mind and develop inner awareness.

I practise and teach elements of each of these paths. For me, yoga is a combination of movement, self-reflection, kindness, meditation and connection, supporting us both on and off the mat.

Here are some pictures from life recently, including celebrating my bestie Allison's hen do!