Hatha Yoga is an ancient and original style of yogic practices. The Hatha Yoga is a very important science. In ancient times the yogis used to practice this yoga to raise the level of their awareness and to raise their lower mind to higher dimensions. In Yoga Upanishad the meaning of Hatha Yoga is to bring the balance between mental and physical bodies.
The word “Hatha” originates from two Sanskrit words “Ham” and “Tham” (Sun and Moon). Ham represents a Pranic force, the Solar force in our body and Tham represents the moon force or Mind aspect of our body. For Yoga and Tantra these two flows are known as Ida and Pingla and the whole subject of Hatha Yoga is a process of bringing balance in these two forces which are constantly working in our body.
The central channel is called the Sushumna and is known as the fire, the seat of knowledge. When the energies of the right and left channels, HA and THA, are united and brought together into the Sushumna, the doors of divine perception open, allowing the prana to flow in a way that facilitates spiritual awakening to the practitioner, leaving him with absolute bliss and infinite peace. By the union of HA and THA, Musculin and Feminine forces, the mind naturally enters into a deep state of trance, giving him the first hand experience of divine eternity.
Hatha Yoga stems from a deep understanding of the mechanics of the body, and uses yogic postures, or yogasanas, to enable the system to sustain higher dimensions of energy. By practicing this profound science, one can change and enhance the way they think, feel, and experience life. Hatha Yoga is about creating a body that is not a hurdle in your life. The body becomes a stepping stone in the progress towards blossoming into your ultimate possibility.
Hatha Yoga’s system supports Patanjali’s Ashtanga Yoga (8 parts Yoga). That is why it is very important to syart your journey with traditional authentic Hatha Yoga. Unlike other fancy styles which are flow oriented Hatha Yoga requires you to hold an Asana for a significant duration so that you can get the real influence of Asana on your Pranic flow.
There is also another point missing in western approach and that is lack of accurate Pranayama techniques. It is just taken as breathing exercise which is very limited definition and should be avoided. One should be aware that Pranayama has the potential to transform your entire body into very conductive instrument of spiritual possibility. Your body becomes conductive for spiritual benefits only after achieving general fitness and well being. It is far more advanced stage. Hatha Yoga practices are like heating gold in intense fire to purify it, so that it can be transformed into something more precious.
By: Arvind Aditya
Lead Trainer
The Bodhi Center
