Hatha yoga comprises the overall physical and breathing practices of yoga. From the Sanskrit words "ha" for sun and "tha" for moon, hatha yoga is meant to purify the body and mind to reach an ideal state in meditation and, ultimately, enlightenment. Ashtanga, or "eight limbs," refers both to a path of hatha yoga explained in Patanjali's "Yoga Sutras" and to a specific style made popular in the 20th century by the late Sri K. Pattabhi Jois.
Hatha Yoga
Hatha yoga refers to a specific system of relaxing the body by building strength and flexibility. Hatha yoga includes asana, or physical postures, and pranayama, or breathing techniques, with the ultimate goal being enlightenment, as described in the "Hatha Yoga Pradipika" written by Swami Svatmarama in the 15th century. Any type of physical yoga practice -- including Iyengar, Anusara, Bikram, Kundalini and Ashtanga -- generally falls under the umbrella of "hatha yoga."
The Eight-Limbed Path
As described in the "Yoga Sutras" of the ancient sage Patanjali, Ashtanga, or the eight-limbed path, includes eight spiritual practices, including yama, or social interaction; niyama, or self-discipline; asana; pranayama; pratyahara, or sense withdrawal; dharana, or deep concentration; dhyana, or meditation; and samadhi, or bliss. This is an important aspect of the practice of Ashtanga yoga, as taught by Jois.
Ashtanga Yoga
Jois's practice of Ashtanga yoga focuses on vinyasa -- meaning matching each breath with a movement -- to heat the body for internal cleansing. Tristhana brings together three places of attention or action: asanas for the body, pranayama for your nervous system and dristhi, or where you focus your eyes in your postures, for your mind. According to the Ashtanga website, practicing ashtanga correctly clears the mind, steadies the body and purifies the nervous system.
Practice
While both hatha and ashtanga yoga classes emphasize poses and breathing, they offer two totally different experiences. A class identified simply as "hatha yoga," and not a specific style, is most likely a gentle practice that includes holding asanas and simple breathing techniques, but be prepared to sweat in an Ashtanga class. Also referred to as "power yoga," this athletic practice follows a challenging sequence of poses, done vinyasa style, that includes the Primary Series, the Intermediate Series and four levels of the Advanced Series.
References
- Sanatan Society: Ashtanga Yoga
- Yoga-Age.com: Hatha Yoga
- "The Yoga Tradition"; Georg Feuerstein, Ph.D.; 2001
- Ashtanga Yoga: Ashtanga Yoga Background
- "Yoga of Light"; Hans-Ulrich Rieker; 1971
Member Comments