Raja Yoga, also known as classical yoga, is extensively outlined by Patanjali in his Yoga Sutras. Raja Yoga is sometimes referred to as Astanga (eight-limbed) yoga because there are eight aspects to the path to which one must attend. In Wikipedia Raja Yoga is described as follows; Raja Yoga is so-called because it is primarily concerned with the mind. The mind is traditionally conceived as the "king" of the psycho-physical structure which does its bidding (whether or not one has realized this). Because of the relationship between the mind and the body, the body must be first "tamed" through self-discipline and purified by various means. A good level of overall health and psychological integration must be attained before the deeper aspects of yoga can be pursued. Humans have all sorts of addictions and obsessions and these preclude the attainment of tranquil abiding (meditation). Through restraint (yama) such as celibacy, abstaining from drugs and alcohol and careful attention to one's actions of body, speech and mind, the human being becomes fit to practice meditation. This yoke that one puts upon oneself (discipline) is another meaning of the word yoga.

The eight limbs of Astanga/Raja Yoga are:

Yama - Code of conduct - self-restraint Niyama - religious observances - commitments to practice, such as study and devotion
Āsana - integration of mind and body through physical activity
Pranayama - regulation of breath leading to integration of mind and body
Pratyahara - abstraction of the senses, withdrawal of the senses of perception from their objects
Dharana - concentration, one-pointedness of mind
Dhyana - meditation (quiet activity that leads to samadhi)
Samadhi - the quiet state of blissful awareness, super-conscious state

Hatha Yoga is based on the philosophy of Raja Yoga and is an integral part of it. The practice of Raja Yoga makes us psychologically and physically strong to deal with our emotions and gracefully master the challenges we face in life. Moreover, Raja Yoga teaches you techniques and methods to perceive the “realities” behind the manifest world and discover your true self.

Every thought, feeling, perception, or memory you may have causes a modification, or ripple, in the mind. It distorts and colours the mental mirror. If you can restrain the mind from forming into modifications, there will be no distortion, and you will experience your true Self. (Swami Satchidananda).

Raja Yoga combines both, a philosophical approach with very practical tools such as meditation techniques, pranayama, yoga-asanas, mudras and mantras. Therefore, adhering to the practice of Raja Yoga improves your physical and psychological health, as well as contributing to the development of your intellectual and intuitive skills.

You can easily integrate Raja Yoga into your everyday life by practicing yoga-asanas, meditation, pranayama and combining these exercises with specific finger positions called mudras and the chanting of mantras.