sandeyeYoga Styles: Hatha Yoga
November 21st 2008 15:52
Hatha Yoga stems from two words, ha and tha; these refer to sun and moon respectively. It represents the joining of ones masculine and feminine aspects. Hatha is also translatable from Sanskrit as 'forceful'. Hatha Yoga is the main style practiced in the Western world when 'yoga' is referred to, without further clarification.
The focus of Hatha Yoga in the West is on Asana and Pranayama. However, other aspects of Yoga are considered to a lesser degree, stemming from these practices. Health and energy are the main purpose of the practice, in turn leading to added ease within other areas of Yoga. Hatha Yoga basically assists to open the energy channels, allowing for progression into deeper aspects of the Yogic lifestyle. In Indian traditions, Hatha Yoga is a starting point for advancing into Raja Yoga practices. It incorporates far more aspects of Yoga than in the West, including mudras and meditation.
Hatha Yoga originated in the 15th century when it was introduced by Yogi Swatmarama, who presented us with the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, which he based upon earlier texts. The mythological story behind Hatha Yoga is that Lord Shiva passed knowledge of the practices to Parvati, a Goddess, and was overheard by the fish, Matsya. (Incidentally, the fish pose Asana is named after Matsya.)
The focus of Hatha Yoga in the West is on Asana and Pranayama. However, other aspects of Yoga are considered to a lesser degree, stemming from these practices. Health and energy are the main purpose of the practice, in turn leading to added ease within other areas of Yoga. Hatha Yoga basically assists to open the energy channels, allowing for progression into deeper aspects of the Yogic lifestyle. In Indian traditions, Hatha Yoga is a starting point for advancing into Raja Yoga practices. It incorporates far more aspects of Yoga than in the West, including mudras and meditation.
Hatha Yoga originated in the 15th century when it was introduced by Yogi Swatmarama, who presented us with the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, which he based upon earlier texts. The mythological story behind Hatha Yoga is that Lord Shiva passed knowledge of the practices to Parvati, a Goddess, and was overheard by the fish, Matsya. (Incidentally, the fish pose Asana is named after Matsya.)
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