What is Bhakti Yoga?
The Sanskrit word “bhakti” is derived from the root word bhaj, which means "devotion to, attachment to, faith or love”. Bhakti Yoga is the type of yoga that aims to develop this attachment, restoring a connection between your mind, body and spirit, as well as with the Divine.
Bhakti is the yoga of love and devotion. There are, according to the Bhagavata Purana, nine forms of Bhakti; listening to scripture, praising (normally through song), focusing the mind on Vishnu, service, worship, paying homage, servitude, friendship, and surrender of the Self. The best-known modern-day exponent of Bhakti Yoga is Sri Mata Amritanandamayi, otherwise known as Amma, AKA the Hugging Mother. She has dedicated her life to serving the poor, the sick and the distressed, and hugs thousands of seekers a day.
Go to Bhakti Yoga if you want:
Chanting
Emotionally restorative yoga
Mantras
Meditation
Music
Self-inquiry
Selfless service
Whole-life approach
Watch a Bhakti Yoga intro
Watch a Bhakti Yoga class
Who was Bhakti Yoga founded by?
Bhakti Yoga is a traditional form of yoga, so whilst its precise origins are unknown, we do know that it has been practiced and passed down from teacher to student for millennia.
When was Bhakti Yoga founded?
Bhakti Yoga was founded in the 10th century.
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Lucy Edge
is a yoga advocate and writer with three yoga books to her name, including the beloved travel memoir Yoga School Dropout. She writes regularly for the national press, has authored over 150 guides to types of yoga and yoga poses, discovered nearly 250 proven health benefits of yoga through her painstaking classification of 300 clinical studies, and collected more than 500 personal testimonials to the real life benefits of yoga. She is also the creator of our yoga shop – YogaClicks.Store – handpicking yoga brands that are beautifully made by yogis committed to environmental and social sustainability.
