Hatha yoga (Yoga)

Ashtanga yoga

Description

This form of yoga is concerned with mastery of the body by rigorous physiological purification as a prior condition for the achievement of any adequate purification of the psyche. Changes in consciousness arise through the setting in motion of kundalini and pranic forces in the body. The result of hatha yoga practice is great physical health and longevity, providing the physical fitness necessary to support the strain on the nervous system of the spiritual life.

The methods include some unusual and difficult physical postures and breathing exercises and higher spiritual activities such as concentration and meditation. The breathing exercises - [pranayama]

(control of the prana stream), together with [asana]

(postures), are designed to unite "sun breath" - [prana]

- with "moon breath" - [apana]

, the "ha" and "tha" of "hatha". Together with the physical postures, [pranayama]

causes the [kundalini]

to rise through the six chakras of the body, bringing spiritual powers. The postures are of many kinds and few are immediately attainable. Months or even years are required for competence in a series of 15 to 20 postures, which should be undertaken daily or else progress is likely to be very slow. An asana is said to be mastered when it can be maintained with out strain for three hours. The postures are normally complemented and completed by several kinds of disposition and movement of hands and other bodily parts (such as the head, abdomen and anus), together with breathing exercises. When a certain degree of competence has been achieved, the breathing rhythm controls and paces an exercise sequence.

Recent research has shown that the special postures produce a rhythm in the neuro-muscular mechanism, thus improving muscles to which emotions and perceptions are related. Other favourable effects are the toning of veins and arteries and possible improvement in the function of ductless glands. Breathing exercises are also recognized as being able to decrease the domination of egotistic thought, and to give emotional stability.