Hatha Yoga
Submitted by divine_sysop on June 2, 2009 - 09:28
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Asheshatapa taptanam samashraya matho hathah |
Asheshayogayuktanam adharakamatho hatah ||
Meaning: The Hatha yoga is a sheltering monastery for those scorched by all three types of pain. To those engaged in the practice of every kind of Yoga, Hatha yoga is like the tortoise that supports the world.
Hatha yoga:
The word hatha is made up of two syllables: ha and tha. Ha relates to the sun, and tha relates to the moon. By controlling the nadis (subtle channels) related to the sun and the moon one can obtain the highest state of mind. This principle is known as Hatha Yoga.
According to the Siva Samhita, there are 72,000 nadis in our body. 18 nadis are of high importance; among these 18, ida, pingala, and susumna are the three most important ones.
Pingala on the right is related to the sun, susumna is in the center, and ida on the left is related to the moon.
By controlling the pranic energy in ida and pingala, one can control the kundalini energy, which moves through susumna.
The teachings of Hatha yoga give knowledge of how to control the two energies of ha and tha; with this knowledge it is possible to gain control over the mind, as practiced in Raja Yoga. Hatha yoga is a practical way to control the mind through the control of prana.
The aim of Hatha yoga is the attainment of Raja Yoga and samadhi. Without preliminary practices of Hatha yoga, it is impossible to attain Raja Yoga.
The sequence of practice in Hatha yoga is asanas, kumbhakas, bandhas & mudras, and nadanusandhana.
In Hatha yoga, it is customary to start pranayama after six purification methods called sat kriyas; this is unique to Hatha yoga. Sat is the number six in Sanskrit, and kriyas are actions. According to Svatmarama, the author of the Hatha yoga Pradipika, the six kriyas are as follows:
- Dhauti
- Basti
- Neti
- Trataka
- Nauli
- Kapala bhati
The fundamental aspects of hatha yoga from the point of yoga therapy:
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Asana is the first component of Hatha yoga. It is the physical posture that helps to overcome fatigue, bring mental and physical steadiness, health and a feeling of lightness in the limbs. Thus, asana prepares one for further purification of ones nadis.
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Pranayama is the second component of Hatha yoga. Pranayama deals with the regulation of prana. When prana is regulated it becomes rhythmic. When breath is controlled the mind becomes steady. During samadhi, breath stops and the mind becomes still. In this state activities of ida and pingala cease, and prana enters into susumna. When the nadis are full of impurities prana cannot travel along the susumna nadi.
Therefore, one should practice pranayama first to purify the nadis.
After prolonged practice of pranayama, when the nadis are purified, one should perform retention of breath (kumbhaka). One should practice pranayama in this way until one achieves the highest state of mind called kevala.
- Bandhas and mudras are the third component of Hatha yoga. These should be practiced along with pranayama. Bandha means to lock - it locks the prana in a certain area. Mudra means to seal - it causes the energy to flow only in one direction. By applying physical pressure here, we join prana and apana.
- Nadanusandhana is the fourth component of Hatha yoga. It is the condition of the mind being lost in the sound. Rhythm (laya) prompted by nada brings ananda (happiness from all directions) and facilitates bliss. Constant nadanusandhana destroys accumulated evil; and citta and prana are merged into Brahman.
During meditation, when the active prana enters the middle path susumna, the bindu becomes steady through pranavata (thinking and creativity, learning new information and inhalation) . Sahaja, the natural state of the mind is achieved, and The Supreme reality appears.
The Signs of Perfection in Hatha yoga:
The following sloka (verse) includes the signs of perfection in Hatha yoga. It indicates the control of prana and the mind as follows:
Vapuhkrishatvam vadaneprasannata nadasphuthatvam nayane sunirmale |
Arogatabindujayognidipanam nadivishuddhirhathayoga lakshnam ||
- H.P: 2:78
- The body becomes lean
- The speech becomes eloquent
- The face becomes pleasant
- The inner sounds are heard distinctly
- The eyes are clear and bright
- The body becomes free from all diseases
- The immune system is upgraded
- The seminal fluid is concentrated
- The digestive fire is increased
- The nadis are thoroughly purified
A traditional yoga therapist teaches yoga, and can also easily treat common and potentially life threatening illnesses such as obesity, arthritis, spinal problems, problems related to speech, hypertension, respiratory disorders, disorders related to the eyes and ears, tongue and digestive disorders, sexual abnormalities, metabolic disorders like diabetes, and neuro-psychiatric problems.
