Laya yoga (Yoga)

This is one of the main forms of yoga and is concerned primarily with the methods of acquiring control over the mind and more particularly the will-power.

Specific yogas which depend upon the conscious exercise of the controlled power of the mind include; Bhakti yoga, namely a devotional approach to the power of divine love; Shakti yoga, namely an energy-focused approach to divine power; Mantra yoga and Yantra yoga, namely the use of specially selected sounds and specially designed diagrams to focus communication with psychic powers (which are invoked by the individual to assist him in his development).

Laya yoga tends to be taught after the individual has been somewhat prepared by the practice of Hatha yoga and as a preliminary to Dhyana yoga and Raja yoga. The emphasis is on concentration on sound, or superphysical [nada]

sound, which can be heard at certain points within the body. It is a necessary grounding for the performance and understanding of classical Indian music.