Hatha Vidya Yoga dates back to the 15th century AD and is one of the oldest forms of Yoga. It is based on the principles of Yoga that were practiced in ancient India by sages. The word ‘Hatha’ actually consists of the words ‘Ha’ meaning the sun, and ‘Tha’ meaning the moon. The word ‘Hatha’ also means forceful. Thus, Hathya Vidya Yoga is a powerful technique that purifies the body and mind and prepares it for the process of meditation.
Hatha Vidya Yoga is a truly holistic approach to fitness. It includes physical postures (called ‘asanas’) that strengthen the body and make it supple, purification procedures (called ‘shatkriyas’), yogic breathing techniques (called ‘pranayama’), and meditation. Traditional Hatha Vidya Yoga also lays a great emphasis on teaching moral disciplines. Thus, Hatha Vidya Yoga is not only a complete approach to fitness, but life itself. Most of the other popular forms of Yoga such as Power Yoga, Iyengar Yoga, Bikram Yoga, and Kundalini Yoga are all derived from Hatha Vidya Yoga.
With the myriad demands placed on us by modern day living, the mind is constantly engaged on material and mundane things that are such an important part of our lives. There is no time to dwell on, or recognize the importance of the spiritual aspect of life. Hatha Vidya Yoga trains the mind to recognize, understand, and accept the spirit. In this way it allows the individual to seamlessly integrate spirituality into all aspects of daily living, thereby paving the path to happier and more fulfilling existence.
Hatha Yoga Poses
In order to prepare for the process of meditation, the body and mind need to be focused and work in tandem. There are several Hatha Vidya Yoga techniques that help you relax and focus your mind without succumbing to external distractions. Let us start with the basic Hatha Vidya Yoga relaxation postures. These include the Shrava Asana (Corpse pose), Bala Asana (Child pose), and Vriksha Asana (Tree pose). Once the body and mind are relaxed, you should perform Pranayama techniques to control your breathing and focus the mind. As you perform Pranayama you will feel your heartbeat slow down, and your intake of breath will become smooth and regular. At this stage you can slip into the process of meditation. Meditation can be performed while sitting on a comfortable chair, while kneeling on your knees, or in the classic Lotus position. Regular meditation will help to calm, relax and focus the mind.
