The philosophy of Atma Yoga is influenced by Hatha Yoga, Raja Yoga and Bhakti Yoga. Atma Yoga is more concerned with yoga psychology and philosophy as described in the ancient texts. An excerpt of Wikipedia describes Atma yoga as the culmination of the yogic systems described in such Sanskrit texts as the Bhagavad Gita, Srimad Bhagavatam, Shiva Samhita and the Hatha Yoga Pradipika. The essence of Atma yoga is found in the Vedic philosophical conclusion of Achintya-Bheda-Abheda Tattva, or inconceivable oneness and simultaneous difference with the supreme. Atma yoga teaches that the individual should not identify with the body or the mind because this can cloud the original soul nature or jiva from fulfilling its life purpose (dharma).

In essence Atma Yoga is the art of surrendering your individual soul, called Atma, to the “oversoul” called Brahma. This exercise frees you from your ego, which is responsible for provoking dissonance and disturbs your inner peace. Atma Yoga also heals your soul and spirit and leads to the experience of oneness. Atma Yoga is in essence a philosophy, but it can be achieved through practicing yoga asanas, meditation, pranayama and mudras. To develop your intuitive skills and live in alignment with the divine you can combine Atma Yoga with Satya Meditation. Atma Yoga greatly contributes to your emotional wellbeing, while Satya Meditation greatly contributes to the clarity of your mind and spirit.

You can easily integrate Atma Yoga into your life, by doing the following meditation and visualisation exercises:

Sit down in a comfortable posture (preferably in the lotus position) and hold your thumb and index finger together. Take in about 2 minutes to solely concentrate on breathing and then concentrate your mind on surrendering your “individual soul”, Atma, to the oversoul, Brahma. Breathe in deeply during this exercise and go on doing this for in about 5 minutes. Next you can practice Satya Meditation, which is the meditation on truth, since in the scriptures it is written that in God lies truth, this meditation will help you reunite with the divine. Satya mediation helps you clear your mind and purify your soul, for it invokes the clearing energies of the satya qualities. To practice Satya meditation sit down in a comfortable posture (preferably in the lotus position) and hold your thumb and index finger together. Take in about 2 minutes to solely concentrate on breathing and then concentrate your mind on Satya and visualise how a white light entering your third eye flows through all of your body and fills up spirit, mind and soul with clarity and serenity.