Which path of yoga is characterized as a devotional approach?

The path of yoga known for its devotional approach is Bhakti Yoga. This form of yoga emphasizes love and devotion towards a personal god or divine essence. Practitioners engage in various forms of devotion, which may include prayer, chanting, and rituals, fostering a deep emotional connection with the divine.

Bhakti Yoga encourages the practitioner to cultivate a mindset of surrender, humility, and compassion, elevating the spiritual journey as one seeks to deepen their relationship with the divine. This path is accessible to everyone, as it relies on love and devotion rather than strict intellectual comprehension or physical prowess.

In contrast, other paths of yoga focus on different aspects: for example, Ashtanga Yoga is structured around the alignment of breath and movement through a series of postures; Karma Yoga is about selfless action and performing one's duties without attachment to the fruits of those actions; and Jnana Yoga is centered on knowledge and wisdom, focusing on self-inquiry and understanding the nature of reality. Each of these paths has its own unique principles and practices, but it is Bhakti Yoga that distinctly emphasizes a heartfelt devotion.