hatha yoga
Hatha Yoga
The Hatha Yogic practices are part of a much larger network of Yoga and Yogic practices. See the scroll on Yoga. If you are just coming from that page, read on.
Simply defined, Hatha Yoga refers to a group of Yogic practices that utilise the body–mind balance and connection as a path to spiritual development and Self-Realisation. The Sanskrit hatha translates to force or effort, or wilfulness and exertion, implying the physical energy aspect of the name given to this branch of Yoga. It also translates to the Yin/Yang balance of masculine and feminine energies and the harmonisation of the human through body, breath and mind. Under this definition many Yogic practices could be fully or partially considered Hatha Yogic practices.
Below is my own summary of the subject of Hatha Yoga.
What is Hatha Yoga?
Hatha Yoga as preparation for advanced Yogic practices
The Hatha Yogic practices refer to practices that work with and through the subtle energy channels of the physical body as a path to Self-Realisation (Yoga). The Hatha Yogic practices are both preparation for, and part of, the advanced practices of Yoga, sometimes categorised as Raja Yoga, here meaning advanced seated breath and meditation practices.
The Raja Yogic path is often described as the Eight Limbs of Patanjali from the Yoga Sutras (a scripture dating perhaps from the 2nd or 3rd century).
This Ashtanga Path of sage Patanjali shows us rules, practices and observances:
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for behaviour, moral education and lifestyle (yamas and niyamas)
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for posture practice referencing advanced seated postures held for long periods (asana)
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for subtle energy mastery of Prana through breath practices (Pranayama in seated posture)
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to withdraw the senses from outward focus to inward awareness (pratyahara)
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to develop concentration and absorption into states of meditation (dharana and dhyana)
…that lead to the ultimate state of:
Self-Realisation / Yogic mastery (Samadhi)
The Yoga Sutras contain far deeper and more esoteric teachings than the above summary. The Eight Limbs of Yoga are often referenced in modern Yogic studies and in Hatha Yoga studies.
How do you practise Hatha Yoga?
Hatha Yoga practice path
The merging of breath and posture (either dynamic or still / held postures), through specific energetic channels of the bodies, is the art and science of Hatha Yoga.
In my understanding of Yoga, and with the above definition in mind, I consider Hatha Yoga an advanced practice of Yoga.
If we look at classical Hatha Yoga teachings and scriptures such as the 15th-century text by Swami Svatmarama, the Hatha Yoga Pradipika (Light on Hatha Yoga), we see the path of practice recommended in that era and for centuries afterwards.
Hatha Yoga begins with purification processes, changes in diet and lifestyle, combined with posture practice. After posture practice reaches a level of mastery, Pranayama and meditation practices of greater depth and difficulty follow, along with energetic practices such as Mudra and Bandha.
In Sanskrit terminology this progression includes:
Shatkarma, Asana, Pranayama, Mudra and Bandha.
All of this is considered preparation for advanced Yogic practice, sometimes referenced as Raja Yoga, and ultimately for Self-Realisation.
There are also other branches of Yoga such as Kriya Yoga and Tantra Yoga that utilise similar preparations and advanced techniques of Hatha Yoga. Yoga is a tree with many branches. Some writings categorise Hatha Yoga as its own branch among the main branches of Yoga. In a future post I will explore types of Hatha Yoga to give more depth to this description.
Why Hatha Yoga?
There are other important texts related to Hatha Yoga such as the Gheranda Samhita and Shiva Samhita. I have yet to explore these texts in depth, and I am not an expert in scriptures, so I can only share conclusions drawn from my own studies of the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, the Bhagavad Gita, and modern texts on Yoga.
From these explorations and my own practice experience, I define Hatha Yoga as follows.
Hatha Yoga is engaged in as preparation for higher levels of meditation. Hatha Yoga posture practice, whether dynamic (vinyasa) or held (asana), prepares the subtle energy channels (Nadis) to hold and channel greater amounts of energy in stillness — Pranic, Kundalini and other vital energies.
Another message I take from the teachings is that:
Hatha Yoga practice is a subtle energy practice through the physical body, where preparation of the spine and the seat for higher levels of Yoga is essential.
Accessing and liberating the spine is therefore central (pun intended!) to Hatha Yogic practice.
Breath-Work and Pranayama support the movement of Prana, preparing the breath-body channels (physical and astral) for advanced Yogic practices.
To practise these advanced aspects of Hatha Yoga, preparatory practices must first shape the bodies for a comfortable seat and centred spine. As a Hatha Yoga teacher, this preparation is what I focus on in my teachings at YM.
Making shapes
At the first stage of preparation we are making shapes to prepare our bodies for the energetic alchemy of Asana.
If you search for Hatha Yoga or Asana online you will find millions of images of postural shapes. Yet from the definitions above we know that Hatha Yoga cannot be only about shape.
If it were only shape, we would have many Self-Realised dancers, gymnasts and acrobats.
Clearly we love the shapes of Hatha Yoga — and why not? The postures are beautiful. Practising them can make us feel strong, agile and powerful. Mastering them is not easy.
But let us not stop at the shape.
Modern Hatha Yoga teaching often begins directly with posture and breath practices, without extensive preparation. While adapting old methods to the modern world is natural, the subtle energy aspect of practice can be lost if too much emphasis is placed on physical athleticism.
There is a beautiful combination of physical movement, subtle energy and breath that we do not want to miss as Hatha practitioners.
Practising Hatha Yoga
Some people may see the shapes of Hatha Yoga and feel discouraged before beginning. This is understandable. A genuine beginner practice or preparatory practice (such as the YM Method) can provide a helpful starting point.
In YM practice, students initially move through accessible movements and vinyasas that work on alignment and energetic pathways rather than attempting classical postural shapes immediately.
For most of us, myself included, merging breath and posture first requires familiarity with both breath and posture individually. Therefore the Hatha Yoga practice many of us begin with is practising Breath-Work and posture as separate practices.
You may still perform movements such as “inhale arms up, exhale forward bend”, as long as it is done with ease. Ease is the indicator of whether practice is appropriate.
For example, I do not recommend Ujjayi breathing with movement for beginners. I find there is greater ease when movement is performed with natural breathing and when we allow movement to breathe us.
Observing breath without movement also helps practitioners become familiar with their natural breathing patterns.
Why should you practise?
If we are drawn to the beauty and expressiveness of movement, enjoy inhabiting our bodies, or wish to feel more present within them, then the Hatha Yogic path may be a wonderful choice.
If you are serious about spiritual growth, self-study and personal development, Yoga practice and Hatha Yoga practice may suit you well. It is a system that supports health, therapy, fitness and spiritual evolution.
Many benefits arise from a balanced beginner practice of Hatha Yoga. We do not need to seek Self-Realisation or advanced postures to begin exploring our bodies through the science and art of Hatha Yoga.
We simply need curiosity and an open mind.
Begin.
I can guarantee that you will be changed through it — with no turning back :-D.
What type of Hatha Yoga should you practise?
Find a style of Hatha Yoga and a teacher that suit you. This may take time and exploration.
The right style or teacher may change as your practice develops. Do not give up after one class if it does not feel right. There are many styles of Hatha Yoga, and you are likely to find one that resonates with you.
If you do not, another form of Yoga may suit you better. Continue exploring.
I searched for eight years before I found the YM Method through its founder Jon Monks and met my spiritual teacher in London. Once I found my path of practice, both practising, teaching and life itself became better (an understatement :-D).
Even if your search takes time, it will be worth the journey.
Related scrolls
Free Hatha Yoga experiences with Mithila on video here.
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align, ground & surround
for sensitive, intuitive individuals who want structured, grounded energy mastery without fear, dogma, or only the mystical.
align, ground & surround
for sensitive, intuitive individuals who want structured, grounded energy mastery without fear, dogma, or only the mystical.
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