Hatha Yoga
  Indianetzone: Largest Free Encyclopedia of India with thousand of articles Yoga


in  
Art & Culture | Entertainment | Health | Reference | Sports | Society | Travel
Forum  | RSS Feeds  | Free E-magazine
Yoga : Yoga l Types of Yoga l Yoga Asanas l Patanjali Yoga Sutra l History of Yoga l Mudra l Suryayoga l Bhakti Yoga l Kundalini Yoga l Hatha Yoga l Yoga Institutes in India l Indian Yoga Gurus l Tantra Yoga l Sahaja Yoga l Kriya Yoga l Chakras l Karma Yoga l Yoga Ashramas in India l Pranayama l Japayoga l Swara Yoga l Astanga Yoga l Yoga Meditation l Mantra l Samadhi l Indian Yogic Philosophy l Telepathy l Properties of Yoga l Bhavas l Patanjali
Home > Health > Yoga > Hatha Yoga
Hatha Yoga
Hatha Yoga is a yogic practice performed for the purpose of purifying and strengthening the physical & subtle bodies.
  Effects of Hatha Yoga   Hatha Yoga Asanas   Human Body & Hatha Yoga
  Nadanusandhan   Origin of Hatha Yoga   Sat - Karmani
  Techniques of Hatha Yoga   Hatha-Yoga-Pradipika    

Sun-MoonHatha yoga is a very ancient and resonant limb of Indian Spiritual Traditions. Coming from Sanskrit origin, the root words "Ha" means Sun and "Tha" means Moon. Hatha yoga is a discipline that harnesses and combines different currents of the body to invoke the all- powerful Kundalini force. Thus, the journey of Hatha yoga from physical to the subtlest form is covered systematically step by step. Hatha yoga combines posture, breath control, seals, and locks as a means to bodily immortality and supernatural power.

Hath YogaHatha Yoga has developed that not only include postures (asana) and cleansing techniques (Shaucha), but also breath control (pranayama). Hatha yoga begins the journey by purifying and toning the body. A well-toned body is said to be the prerequisite for further enhancements to delve deeper in our inner being. The stages of supreme concentration and meditation ultimately summons the state of Samadhi. This samadhi leads us to know and unite with our supreme and pure self.

In contemporary scenario, people and experts are viewing the amazing hatha techniques to master body as the way to healthy lifestyle and efficient living. Different postures combined with pranayama relieve the mind and body of the many stressful agents and tones them towards a common goal of balanced life. Hatha-yoga is immensely and unfathomably powerful technique, harboring the potential to radically transform the human being on all conceivable (and inconceivable) levels. For those who wish only to enhance their physical fitness and to prolong their life in the physical body, hatha may be approached on this level.

Hath YogiFor those who wish to go deeper, the hatha system comprises of ethical, gross-physical, subtle-physical and mental disciplines, uniting them in a complementary fashion and in a way that is clearly directed towards the Final goal of Self-realisation. Yoga is the theory- practice union, which requires unwavering dedication and faith in the ancient knowledge of Rishis. Thus, Hatha yoga is no different from the other spiritual practices of India.

Origin of Hatha Yoga
Far from being frozen knowledge and codified instructions, it is a science kept alive by the yogis who have mastered it and who in turn transmit their knowledge to their deserving students. Sampoorna Hatha Yoga is a continuing expression of this tradition. That is why it is so effective for evolution of Ardent practitioners. The earliest classical work on yoga is unanimously considered as "Yoga sutra of Patanjali." This treatise laid the foundation for all the manifestations of Yoga formed thereafter. Hatha Yoga has developed following this very groundwork. Some experts view the existence of hatha-yoga to be a tradition whose roots extend back at least several thousand years, with its earliest known authentic text being the Yoga-Karunta.

Indian Yogic Philosophy
Hatha yoga has developed post Vedic, it is important to place yoga within the context of Indian philosophy. To know hatha we have to understand at least some of the theoretical themes that underly the practical endeavour of yoga.

Human Body & Hatha Yoga
Hatha-yoga is often regarded as physical or bodily yoga. Such an over simplistic view is mistaken if that is all hatha is considered to be; but it is certainly the case that hatha-yoga works very much "with" and "through" the body, and that its conceptual isolation of the body is crucial to Hatha`s theory and practice. This conceptualization which involves whole `subtle` physiological dimension-forms should be understood properly. For that the misunderstood conclusions have to be discarded.

Techniques of Hatha Yoga
However imaginative and deeply philosophical does the symbolic and mythological description seems to be for the hatha yoga origin, yet the most important of these all are the hatha techniques themselves. It is important to understand the theory that underlies the practice of hatha-yoga as hatha theory and practice are intimately bound up together. Still, hatha treatise majorly emphasize on the practice itself.

Hatha Yoga Asanas
A particular asana works in a distinct way on our muscles, breath and mind. Many asanas are even suggested for their therapeutic value. The detailed description of each asana, with its technique, benefits and precautions are given with the relevant pictures.

Raja Yoga
Raja Yoga is the king of all yogas` because through it one can become self-governing. Raja Yoga gives the power to control ones own mind, because it is the mind that is responsible for creating sorrow and distress. The mental connection between the soul and the Supreme Soul or the remembrance of the Supreme Soul by the soul is called meditation or Raja Yoga Meditation.The aim of meditation is to become the master of your mind, your personality, and of course the master of the body.

(Last Updated on : 6/12/2008)
Recently Updated Articles in Yoga
  • Trataka
    Trataka is an external concentration practice by staring at some external object.
  •  
  • Technique Of Kapalbhati
    Techniques of Kapalbhati basically includes the breathing technique that helps to clear mind, oxygenate brain and overcome negativity.
  •  
  • Technique Of Uddiyana Bandha
    Technique of Uddiyana Bandha involves raising the Diaphragm and keeping it immobile.
  •  
  • Bandhas
    Bandhas are a part of Pranayama and are also employed in Hatha Yoga.
  •  
  • Relaxative Asanas
    Relaxative Asanas are the asanas that by relaxing the mind and body bring physical as well as mental relaxation.
E-mail this Article | Post a Comment
Free E-magazine
Subscribe to Free
E-Magazine on Yoga

 
Hatha Yoga Sitemap
Contact Us   |   RSS Feeds
Copyright © 2008 Jupiter Infomedia Pvt. Ltd. All rights reserved including the right to reproduce the contents in whole or in part in any form or medium without the express written permission of Jupiter Infomedia Pvt. Ltd.