WHAT IS HATHA YOGA
What is Hatha Yoga?
It is a path of Yoga. In the classical texts is described as a staircase for Raja Yoga (you can see Raja Yoga definition on the Yoga Sutras page), and only for that purpose (Kevalam Rajyogaya). The Sanskrit word Hatha in this context refers to power, strength, energy and force. It is more physical compaired to other Yoga practices and it is based in the arousal of energy through Susumna, the main nadi in the body.
Picture of stairs, symbolizing Hatha Yoga as a staircase to Raja Yoga.
Mixing table with different channels, in allusion to the energy channels (Nadis).
What is a nadi?
In Hatha Yoga the word nadi refers to energy channels or prana channels. There are more than 72000 nadis in the human body and their positions are similar to the nerves.
Which are the main nadis, then?
Hatha yogis spoke of three main channels: Ida, Pingala and Susumna.
Normally, Susumna is resting and Ida and Pingala altern their functioning (when one is active, the other is idle).
Three electric power lines, as a metaphor of the main energy channels (Nadis): Ida, Pingala and Susumna.
Painting palette, symbolizing creativity and artistic tasks, related to Ida Nadi.
Ida:
Located at the left side of the vertebral column.
Associated to the word Tha in Hatha.
Called also Chandra Nadi or Moon Nadi.
It is connected to the left nostril.
It governs the right part of the brain, associated with creativity and artistic tasks.
Pingala:
Located at the right side of the vertebral column.
Associated to the word Ha in Hatha.
Called also Surya Nadi or Sun Nadi.
It is connected to the right nostril.
It governs the left part of the brain, associated with logic and decissions take.
Chess game, as a symbol of logical thinking, associated to Pingala Nadi.
Avenue with a central bulevar and one lane each side, symbolizing Susumna Nadi, and its relationship with Ida and Pingala.
Susumna:
Located in the center of the spine or meru danda.
It only gets active when Ida and Pingala are simultaneously functioning.
The free flow of prana through this channel is associated to higher states of concentration and consciousness.
Who were the Hatha Yogis? What is the origin of Hatha Yoga?
Although is very difficult to trace the originators of Hatha Yoga, there are solid evidences that the Nath Sect of yogis considered themselves as Hatha yogis. The Nath Sect was founded around the 6th Century C.E by Matsyendranath. In his linage are found the authors of relevant treatises on Hatha Yoga.
Human figures at dawn, symbolizing the dawn of Yoga and its first practitioners.
Open old book, in allusion to the main classical books on Hatha Yoga.
I see... and what are the most important books on Hatha Yoga?
HathaYoga Pradipika:
Dated around the 15th Century.
Its author was Swami Swatmarama, who can be positioned somewhere after the 33rd Nath Yogi.
It is written in slokhas or verses, structured in 4 chapters:
1st Chapter: Asanas and Mitahara (yogic diet)
Ingredients and kitchenware, symbolizing the yogic diet (Mitahara).
Cleaning mop wiping the floor, symbolizing the cleansing actions in Hatha Yoga (Shatkarmas).
2nd Chapter: Pranayamas and Shatkarmas (cleansing actions)
3rd Chapter: Mudra (gestures) and Bhanda (locks)
Lock closing a fence, as a metaphor of energy locks in Hatha Yoga (Bhandas).
Man walking towards the light, symbolizing de state of union with the consciousness (Samadhi).
4th Chapter: Samadhi
In the first chapter Swatmarama also describes the main causes of failure and success in the practice of Hatha Yoga.
Pradipika means ‘small lamp’, that in this context is intended to guide us on the path to Raja Yoga.
Picture os a small lamp, in allusion to the meaning of the word Pradipika in Sanskrit language.
Person taking notes and in the attitude of having a dialogue, meaning of the word Samhita in Sanskrit language.
Gheranda Samhita:
Dated around the 17th Century.
Its author was the Nath yogi Rishi Gheranda.
It is written in form of dialogues (Samhitas) between him and his disciple Chanda Kapali.
Its slokhas or verses, are structured in 7 chapters:
1st Chapter: Shodanam (Purification) by Shatkarma
Hands being washed with crystal clear water as a representation of purification (Shodanam).
Two dumbbells, representing strength (Dhradata).
2nd Chapter: Dhradata (Strength) by Asana
3rd Chapter: Sthairya (Steadiness) by Mudra and Bhanda
Group of columns holding a structure, as a representation of stability (Sthairya).
Person rock climbing, as a symbol of perseverance and patience (Dhairyam).
4th Chapter: Dhairyam (Perseverance/Patience) by Pratyahara
5th Chapter: Laghavam (Lightness) by Pranayama
Picture of a feather, symbolizing lightness (Laghavam).
Binoculars for observation, in allusion to direct perception (Pratyaksancha).
6th Chapter: Pratyaksancha (Direct Perception) by Dhyana
7th Chapter: Nirliptancha (Isolation) by Samadhi
Person walking in the desert, symbolizing isolation (Nirliptancha).
Earthen pot, in allusion to the origin of the expression Ghatasya Yoga, another name given to Yoga as described in Gheranda Samhita.
The Hatha Yoga as explained in Gheranda Samhita is called Saptanga Yoga (The 7 Parts Yoga).
It is also called Ghatasya Yoga. Ghata means ‘pot’. Gheranda wrote that human body is like a earthen pot that must be baked through yogic fire.
Shiv Samhita:
It is the most mystical text of the three.
Its author is unknown.
It could be older than HathaYoga Pradipika but it has not been confirmed the date.
It is written as a collection of dialogues between Lord Shiva as the first guru and his wife Parvati as the first student.
Other relevant texts are Goraksha Samhita, Yoga Bija and Hatha Ratnavali.
Statue of Lord Shiva. One of the main characters in the dialogues described in the Shiv Samhita book.
Person in a depressive attitude, symbolizing failure.
Which are then the main causes of failure in the practice of Hatha Yoga...? (Badhak Tattva)
According to HathaYoga Pradipika, those are the Six Badhak Tattva:
Atyahara or overeating
Prayasa or over-exertion, both physical and mental
Prajalpa or gossiping and excesive talking
Niyamagraha or rigidness in the rituals and routines
Janasanga or socializing. In modern life it should be traslated as wrong companies
Laulyam or volatility of mind
And what are the causes of success in the Hatha Yoga practice? (Sadhak Tattva)
HathaYogaPradipika enumerates Six Sadhak Tattva, those are:
Utsaha or enthusiasm
Sahas or courage
Dhairya or perseverance and constant effort
TattvaJana or knowledge of the purpose and philosophy behind the practice
Nischaya or firm determination and faith
Janasanga Parityaga or total prohibition of socializaing. That should be translated in the modern life as “choosing the right companies”
Person in a triumphal attitude, symbolizing success.
Diagram containing a theoretical explanation, in allusion to the different approaches and explanations regarding asanas in Yoga Sutras and Hatha Yoga Pradipika.
Both, HathaYoga Pradipika and Gheranda Samhita speak about asanas... Are there any differences with what is written in the Yoga Sutras?
In the Yoga Sutras, Patanjali states which must be the qualities of an asana: steady and comfortable (sthiram, sukham); but he doesn't describe any of them in particular.
HathaYoga Pradipika and Gheranda Samhita explain the technique to perform several asanas.
Speaking of asanas, what are the benefits of asanas practice, according to Hatha yogis?
The HathaYoga Pradipika mentions 3 benefits:
Sthairyam or steadiness (physical and mental)
Aroghyam or good health
Angalaghavam or lightness of the body
Lotus flower, as a metaphor of steadiness (Sthairyam) and lightness (Laghavam), two of the benefits of asanas practice.
Fuel deposit indicator with four division marks, in allusion to Chaturth Varjitam.
Ok, What about Mitahara, what's the meaning?
It comes from the Sanskrit word ahara (food and things that are taken in). It can be translated as moderated or balanced diet. According to HathaYoga Pradipika, the food must be:
Susnighdam: Very pulpy, easy to digest, fresh and not stale
Madhuram: Pleasant, agreeable, naturally sweet
Shiv Samprityam: As good as it could be offered to Lord Shiva. Also means eaten with this attitude.
Chaturth Varjitam: Eating to fill only half stomach with food, a quarter of stomach with liquids and leaving a quarter (chaturth) of stomach empty
Gheranda Samhita gives similar advice to HathaYoga Pradipika on what to eat. Both texts also recommend to avoid unnatural foods, stale, reheated food, too acidic or too salty. Nirahara (fasting) is not considered a good practice for Hatha Yoga. Gheranda Samhita adds the recommendation to avoid eating only once a day (ekahara).
Soft drinks cans (unnatural food) and chillies (spicy food) as an example of types of food to avoid (Apathya).
Hand under a water stream, as a symbol of the cleansing rituals (Shatkarmas).
Well, what about the Shatkarmas?
The Shatkarmas or Kriyas are the six actions or types of purifications. These actions are related with the observation or niyama of cleanliness (sauch). They are designed to clean the body at a deeper level that normal hygiene. Those are:
Dhauti or washing, cleansing
Basti or cleaning of the large intestine
Neti or cleaning of the nasal pasage
Trataka or cleaning of the vision
Nauli or cleaning of the small intestine
Kapalbhati or cleaning of the sinuses (it literally means “shining skull”)
When are the Shatkarmas supposed to be performed?
There are some differences on the approach depending on the text. According to Gheranda Samhita the process of ‘baking the body through yogic fire’ starts with the purification of the body so the shatkarmas are to be performed in any case. On the other hand, the HathaYoga Pradipika recommends to do the shatkarmas prior to Pranayama only if there is an unbalance in the tridoshas.
Fire, in allusion to ‘yogic fire’ and the purification fo the body through the Shatkarmas.
Air and water, together with the red color from the sun (fire), symbolizing the Tridoshas.
Mmm...and what are the Tridoshas?
Hatha Yoga takes this concept from Ajurveda, the Indian traditional medicine.
According to Ajurveda, our health depends on the balance of three energies or doshas:
Vata or ‘air’. This one is related also with the nervous system
Pitta or ‘fire’. Asociated to the bile, the digestion and the metabolism
Kapha or ‘water’. Found as phlegm or mucus. Related also to the absorption of nutrients in the arterial system and lubrication processes
So Shatkarmas help to balance the tridoshas...Any other general benefit?
According to Hatha Yoga, Shatkarmas also nourish the Sapta Dhatu or 7 basics constituents of our body:
Skin
Flesh
Blood
Bones
Bone Marrow
Fat
Semen/Ovule
Picture of human body, in allusion to the body 7 constituents (Sapta Dhatu).
Picture of an engine, in allusion to the Dhauti Shatkarmas for inner purification (Antar Dhauti).
Ok, tell me more about shatkarmas, what are the types of Dhauti?
HathaYoga Pradipika only mentions Vastra Dhauti or cleansing of the stomach by using a strip of cloth.
Gheranda Samhita describes several actions:
Antar or Internal:
Vatasara, ingesting air and forcing it to the low pasage.
Varisara, ingesting water and performing sequence of movements.
Agnisara, by moving the navel knot in and out.
Bahiskritam, by washing the large intestine with the hands.
Danta or teeth purification:
Dantamula or cleansing of the teeth.
Jivha Shodana or purification of the tonge.
Karna-Randhra or cleaning of the ears.
Kapala-Randhra or cleansing of the skull.
Wheel teeth, in allegory to the cleansing of teeth (Dantamula Dhauti).
Hosepipe for fueling, in allusion to the esophagus pipe and its purification (Hrda Dhauti).
Hrda or purification of the chest, referred to the esophagus:
Danta, by using a stick.
Vamana, by vomiting.
Vastra by using a strip of cloth.
Mula-Shodanam or purification of the anus.
What about the Basti?
HathaYoga Pradipika mentions the cleansing of the rectum by using water (Jala Basti). Gheranda Samhita distinguish between Jala and Sukshma (performed dry). Sukshma Basti is also known as Sthala (static) because the yogi didn't have to move to the nearest river or source of water like when performing the Jala Basti.
Exhaust pipe, in allusion to the rectum purification Shatkarma (Basti).
Air inlets on a car hood, in allusion to the nostrils and the Shatkarma for its cleansing (Neti).
Ok, what can you tell me about the Neti?
Both classic texts speaks of Sutra Neti, which is cleansing of the nose by using a string.
Nowadays however, Neti is also performed by using luckwarm salted water (with a salt concentration similar to our tears or sweat). This technique is called Jalneti.
And about Tratak?
HathaYoga Pradipika and Gheranda Samhita explain the cleansing of the vision by staring at a small fixed point until the tears begin to flow.
Tratak can be also performed in many different ways like shoulder-gazing, thumb-gazing, moon-gazing, candle-gazing, etc.
Car front lights, in allusion to the Shatkarma for the cleansing of eyesight (Tratak).
Windshield wiper, symbolizing the side to side movement characteristic in Nauli Shatkarma .
Any words on Nauli?
Nauli, also called Laukiki in the Gheranda Samhita is a performed by forcibly moving the stomach and the intestine from on side to the other.
Cool, tell me about Kapal-Bhati...
The "shining skull" technique described in HathaYoga Pradipika is performed by fast and forceful exhalation of air.
While Gheranda Samhita mentions three kinds:
Vama Krama, performed with air.
Vyut Krama, taking water through the nostrils and expelling it trough the mouth.
Sit Krama, taking water through the mouth and expelling it trough the nostrils.
Shining head shaped car front badge in allusion to the Kapal-Bhati Shatkarma or "‘shining skull’ technique.
Turbine and a wing suspended in the air, symbolizing the movement of air during breath and the steadiness obtained by Pranayama techniques..
Ok, I know the importance of Asanas and Shatkarmas in Hatha Yoga... What is the role of Pranayamas?
As written in the HathaYoga Pradipika, “Chale vate, chalam chittam”: As the breath, so the mind.
One of the main objectives of Pranayama is to get steadiness of mind.
The state when the mind becomes completely calm is only possible when the prana flows freely through Susumna nadi. By the practice of Pranayama the yogi is able to control the bioenergy (prana) and chanalize it through the main channel (Susumna).
According to the classic texts, Pranayama not only helps to calm the mind but to have a healthier body.