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.
Powerful tools of Hatha Yoga
Asanas
Asanas are specific geometric postures designed to suit the anatomy of 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 learnt 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, asanam 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.
Hatha Yoga
hatha Yoga
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