Hatha yoga refers to the form of yoga most familiar to Westerners. In the practice of hatha yoga, the student performs specific poses and movements that align, strengthen and stretch the body. The various postures that define hatha yoga are referred to as asanas. Although the practice of hatha yoga has transformed into an effective fitness tool, asanas are historically designed with the purpose of preparing the body for meditation.
Meaning of Hatha
The word "ha" is commonly translated from Sanskrit as "sun" and "tha" translates as "moon." This juxtaposition of seemingly conflicting ideas emphasizes the balance and symmetry of opposites. In the practice of hatha, the student must balance feminine with masculine, strength with flexibility, effort with ease, power with compliance, and focus with abandonment.
Origins
The tradition of hatha yoga originated during the 15th century CE, when Swami Swatmarama wrote "Hatha Yoga Pradipika," the classic text that first described hatha yoga, according to Swami Jnaneshvara. The "Hatha Yoga Pradipika" text explains the many hundreds of years of yoga practice and draws on previous yoga texts and Swami Swatmarama's own observations and experiences. Such styles of yoga as ashtanga, vinyasa, power, Bikram, Kundalini and Iyengar derive from the hatha yoga tradition.
Yoga Sutras
Besides the physical asana aspect of hatha yoga, yoga encompasses a specific path toward enlightenment. Patanjali outlined the eight steps of the yoga path in the "Yoga Sutras." The "Yoga Sutras" refer to the steps as the eight limbs of yoga. The first limb, yama, provides guidance on our social interactions. The second limb, niyama, describes discipline and responsibility. Next is asana practice. Pranayama, the fourth limb, is breath control. The fifth limb, Pratyahara, teaches detachment. The sixth limb, dharana, teaches concentration. Next, dhyana focuses on developing heightened awareness through meditation. At the final step, samadhi, you have reached enlightenment.
Practice
According to Swami Jnaneshvara, "Hatha Yoga Pradipika" describes how hatha yoga is used purposefully in preparation for meditation with the goal of reaching enlightenment. Enlightenment can sound like a lofty, unattainable goal. Yoga, however, focuses on the path to the goal of enlightenment, not on the goal itself. Yogis and yoginis refer to their "practice" of yoga, which aptly conveys the duel concepts of continual striving and acceptance. If you're practicing yoga, you are constantly trying to improve. At the same time, the concept of practice expresses the idea that you will have more opportunities to improve and so you can forgive yourself your mistakes.
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