Yoga is a Sanskrit word which means Union. It is a joining of the finite with the infinite. Yoga teaches that there is only one ultimate reality, that of infinite consciousness.

As an individual embodiment your consciousness is separated from the consciousness of others and the world around you. The goal of yoga then is to reunite your individual consciousness back to the the Cosmic consciousness. This means more than union of body, mind and soul, yogic scriptures explain it as a merging of your individual self with the Cosmic Self.

Think of your consciousness as a wave in the ocean, eventually the wave becomes the ocean. In yoga, you are given techniques that help you to achieve this goal of oneness.

There are times you may feel or receive glimpses of this oneness or union, perhaps while gardening, or taking a walk in the woods. This feeling of unity with the trees, the sky, moon and stars, brings about a great peace. This consciousness is the goal of yoga.

Yoga is for everyone. That's because there are four paths of yoga, each will suit the individual temperament.
To better understand this concept, imagine four people, standing at the base of a mountain. each are located on a different side, but the goal to all of them is to reach the mountain peak, representing their spiritual goal. Each person must walk their own path - all equally effective, but customized to their own spirituality and temperament.

Jnana Yoga, is called the path of wisdom, which emphasizes the application of discriminative intelligence to achieve perfection. In other words cutting through the veil of ignorance, to attain the absolute truth.
We all practice this type of yoga on one level or another, whether we realize it or not. It is seen in our continual search for greater understanding... To become wise. Believing that achieving great wisdom, will result in greater happiness and a feeling of wholeness to self. The Jnana temperament will eventually in their divine wisdom come to realize that truth and happiness actually surpasses the mortal intellect by gaining oneness with the Divine Intelligence.
This path appeals to the philosophical and intellectual temperament.

Bhakti Yoga, is the path of devotion. Devotion to a personal God, or great teacher such as Christ. It is the path of the heart. Those on this path see the ultimate reality as Love. Through pure and unconditional love and all surrendering devotion, one begins to see the love and divinity in all of creation. For the Bhakti Yogi, their only desire is to love and please God and making this love a part of their everyday life. The path of bhakti appeals to the emotional temperament. Visualization is a powerful tool for the Bhaki Yogi. Visualizing one such as Christ , walking beside them at all times brings about a greater awareness of the divine presence everywhere. Worship is also important to Bhakti's. Creating a spiritual atmosphere, such as erecting an alter, using picttures, flowers, candles and incense helps the Bhakti to express and develop their love.

Raja Yoga, or royal yoga as it is sometimes called, is the path of self-mastery and control. The raja yogi controls his mind until it becomes perfectly still, at which time there is no more wall between himself and his own divine nature attaining self-realization. The main practice in Raja Yoga is meditation and hatha yoga. It is the best known and most widely practiced yoga in the West. Hatha yoga aims at controlling the mind through the control of the physical body and the subtle life force called prana or breath control. Raja appeals to the psychological, mystical and scientific temperament.

Karma Yoga, this yoga path purifies the mind by means of work and action. It also deals with cause and effect. The Karma Yogi practices without any expectations or desires. When it is done without desire it will destroy selfishness, thereby, opening your heart and seeing God in all action. The key phrase of a Karma yogi is "Not I, but thou." This path is for people with natures inclined toward work and action...and that of selfless service no matter how great. This path appeals to the active temperament.

Perhaps you already see your temeperment inclination in one or several paths discussed. Any of these paths actively practiced, can add new dimensions of truth, beauty and significance to your lives. Eventually all achieving the final goal of Cosmic Consciousness.