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Hatha Yoga

Hatha yoga, pronounced /ˈhʌtə/ or /ˈhæθə/, is also known as Hatha Vidya. It is a particular system of Yoga propagated by Swami Swatmarama, a yogic sage of the 15th century in India. It is part of the Hindu traditions of Yoga and Tantra, Hatha Yoga posture performed at a Hindu temple. and is a path of spiritual realization leading to the ultimate goal of Raja Yoga, or contemplation of the One Reality. It is what most people associate with the word "Yoga" and is mainly practiced for mental, physical health and vitality outside of India.

Concept

Traditional Hatha Yoga is a holistic yogic path, including moral disciplines, physical exercises (e.g., asanas (postures) and Pranayama (breath control)), and meditation. The Hatha yoga predominantly practiced in the West consists of mostly asanas (postures) and exercise.

Hatha represents opposing energies: hot and cold, male and female, positive and negative, similar but not completely analogous to yin and yang. Hatha yoga attempts to balance mind and body via physical exercises, or "asanas", controlled breathing, and the calming of the mind through relaxation and meditation. Asanas teach poise, balance & strength and are practiced to improve the body's physical health and clear the mind in preparation for meditation in the pursuit of enlightenment.

The Yoga of Patanjali is Ashtanga or comprised of 8 limbs, Yama and Niyama, which are ethical obligations, Asana, Pranayama, which is breath control, Pratyahara, which is sense withdrawal, Dharana, which is concentration, Dhyana, which is meditation, and Samadhi, which is the experience of unity with God.

Yama

Ahimsa (non-injury), Satya (truth), Asteya (non-covetousness), Brahmacharya (continence) and Aparagriha (abstinence from avarice) fall under Yama.

Asanas (Postures)

Main article: Asana

Asanas are contemplative in nature and were originally intuited by yogis during meditation; the Kundalini naturally brings forth these postures or movements. These movements are meant to help to remove blockages (disease) in the causal, subtle, and physical bodies.

In the ancient author Patanjali's work, Asana is classified as the third rung of 8 in the ladder of the practice of Raja Yoga.

Hatha yoga in the west primarily concerns itself with asanas or postures.

Pranayama - The science of breathing

The words 'Prana' (life-force) and 'Ayama' (to prolong or regulate) make up Pranayama. Pranayama seeks to control & regulate the breath. In one variation, the Rechak (exhaled air), Poorak (inhalation) and Kumbhak (Retention during normal inhaling and exhaling) are the 3 parts of the breath that are regulated. Pranayama is practised to develop mental, physical and spiritual strength. Though the beginner's Pranayama is relatively harmless, more advanced practices are recommended to be performed only under the guidance of a knowledagble teacher. roper practice may result in neurosis, adrenal problems, insanity, or death.

General Directions for Yogasana

Listed below are traditional directions for performing Hatha Yoga.

A glass of fresh water should be taken before performing asanas.
Stomach should be empty. Asanas can be performed 8 hours after a meal, 2 hours after a glass of milk and one hour after eating fruit.
Always perform asanas early in the morning.If this is not possible,the next best time would be evening around dusk.
Rich, very dry, left-overs, very hot or too much food should be avoided.
Force or pressure should not be used while performing asanas.
One must not go out in the cold after performing asanas.
Lower the head and other parts of the body slowly; in particular, raised heels should be lowered slowly.
The breathing should be controlled and should always be through the nose. The benefits of asanas increase if pranayama is performed simultaneously.
If the body is stressed, perform Shavasana.
Asanas should be performed in a well-lit, clean and ventilated room. The atmosphere should be peaceful.
Light physical exercises, followed by yogasana, pranayama and meditation is the ideal sequence.
Yogasanas, expecially inverted poses, are to be avoided during menstruation. In contrast, modern teachers do recommend Yogasana for relief from cramps during this period.
During pregnancy, after the first 3 months, exercises that require lying on stomach are to be avoided. (Inverted poses should be avoided especially in the third trimester - This site recommends it for pregnancy [1] - not too sure, clarification requested.)

Health Benefits ascribed to Yogasana practice

Different asanas are recommeded by practioners to cure or prevent problems ranging from constipation to cancer. It is known to reduce stress and other mental worries.

Origins - The Hatha Yoga Pradipika

The most fundamental text of Hatha Yoga is the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, a Sanskrit classic written by Swami Swatamarama, a disciple of Swami Goraknath. It is said to be the oldest surviving text on the Hatha Yoga.

The book was written in 15th century C.E. The work is derived from older Sanskrit texts and Swami Swatamarama's own yogic experiences. It includes information about asanas, pranayama, chaKrishna.htmlas, kundalini, bandhas, Krishna.htmliyas, shakti, nadis and mudras among other topics.

Many modern English translations of the book are available.

See Hatha Yoga Pradipika.

Etymology

Hatha yoga, pronounced "ha-tuh", is also known as hatha vidya or the "science of hatha" yoga. The word Hatha comes from combining the two Sanskrit terms "hat" meaning sun and "ha" meaning moon. The word "hat" refers to the solar nadi (pingala) in the subtle body and "ha" the lunar channel (ida).

See Also