Hatha Yoga refers to the practicalities and disciplines undergone in which the body and essential energies are brought under control. While being one of the most popular forms of yoga, Hatha Yoga remains one of the first preparations of the body toward the way of reintegration. Through the way of reintegration, a preparedness for further awareness can occur. Hatha Yoga is principally for outstanding beings that can perform its rules and practices. In Hatha Yoga, the main purpose is to suppress physical obstacles on the Spiritual or Royal path of re-integration Raja Yoga. For this reason, Hatha Yoga is referred to as being “the ladder to Raja yoga.” Hatha Yoga also maintains the ability to be a science, an art, and a philosophy. The depth of its nature allows it to include countless postural (asanas), breathing (pranayama), and meditative techniques. These techniques are used in order to develop strength, health, and realization in its practitioner.
Hatha Yoga was discovered by Gorakhnath, a Hindu master that lived around 1000 AD. Hatha Yoga, in essence, created many of the primary breathing exercises and postures used today, including the exceptionally famous “lotus” position. When people are referring to “western yoga,” they are in fact referring to “Hatha Yoga.” The focus in Hatha Yoga is the awareness at the ajna center, which is half an inch above where the eyebrows join. A direction of awareness moves through that center into a super-conscious state during Hatha Yoga.
The word Hatha is derived from the two root terms ‘ha’ meaning ‘the sun’ and ‘tha’ meaning the moon. The combination of these two words stands for ‘union of force’. This is the central discipline and harmony of the positive (sun) and negative (moon) currents. At other times, the words Hatha is translated as being “forceful yoga,” since it requires the most physical exercises of all yoga types.
Before practicing Hatha Yoga postures, take a shower or a bath, or find an alternative way to refresh your body with water beforehand. Another note: do not practice Hatha Yoga right after eating a meal; wait at least wait two and a half hours so the food eaten is digested completely. Make sure that the room Hatha yoga will be practiced in is smoke free and well ventilated. Also, do not practice this form of Yoga outdoors.
There are many postures that can be practiced in Hatha Yoga; one of the more simple ones includes the Ardhakurmakasana pose. The Ardhakurmakasana, or half-tortoise, pose begins by getting down on your knees and sitting on your heels. By extending your hands upward so that they touch your ears and join your palms together, you can experience a stimulating stretch. While exhaling, bow down forward and touch the floor with your forehead and nose. Do not overexert yourself, if you are unable to reach this position, come the closest to it that you can. While in this position, hold your breath for six seconds and rise while inhaling. Attempt to keep your arms straightened and your buttocks on your heels the entire time. Repeat this six to ten times.
By Danielle Spanner