Hatha Yoga

 

Hatha Yoga 

Hatha Yoga is a popular health-promoting discipline in the world. Its origin is traced to the writings  

of Swami Swatmarama, the first book on asanas and pranayama written in the 15th century called  ‘The Hatha Yoga Pradipika’. Hatha Yoga integrates and balances the two sides of the body.  Ha means sun and Tha means moon. Hatha means willful or forceful. Sun or masculine is the right side, while  moon or feminine is the left side. Both sides provide energy for stability, strength and balance. 

AIM OF HATHA YOGA 

To balance prana, the energy that moves upwards to the brain 

To balance apana, the energy that moves downwards to the pelvis 

To balance mind-body-breath and promote inner harmony and peace 

To balance opposites; hot and cold, pain and pleasure, loss and gain  

To balance every aspect of an individual, make life painless and peaceful  

Powerful tools of Hatha Yoga 

Asanas 

Asanas are specific geometric postures designed to suit the anatomy of the human body. They are much more than physical exercise because they provide perfect mind-body balance. Asanas connect body and mind, remove blocks and imbalances, mobilize inactive muscles and joints and promote ease and harmony. Asanas are performed with deep awareness and guided by specific breathing. They must be learned from an experienced yoga teacher. 

Sage Patanjali the father of yoga, defined asana as Sthira, Sukham, Asanam. Sthira means stability, steadiness,  firmness, sukham means ease, relaxed, comfortable, asana means postures. It takes several years of dedicated practice to accomplish perfect mind-body integration, control, balance, and harmony and experience sthiram and  sukham in every asana.  

Pranayama 

Pranayama is the conscious expansion of inhalation and exhalation in a specific manner. It is a scientific process of internal purification, draws the mind inwards and connects to deeper levels of consciousness. Pranayama  refreshes and energizes the brain, calms the mind, removes stress, negativity and makes all the systems function  well. They must be learnt from an experienced yoga teacher.  

                    Sage Patanjali reiterates that controlling the restless mind is not possible without controlling prana.                         When pranayama is practiced with dedication and commitment for many years, avarana or mental veil or disturbances that covers prakasa or inner light or wisdom will be removed. When there is prakasa, there will be no confusion,  and no sadness, the mind will be clear like a crystal, experiencing peace and happiness.