Yoga is a very broad term that includes synchronization of your mind, body, and inner self with the outer energy or the environment. However, the concept of yoga has changed dramatically from the ancient times and the present days, and people have the concept that yoga is only about physical fitness and mental wellbeing.
If you are referring to yoga only at this level then you are talking about only the physical aspect of yoga, that is to say, you are basically only referring to “Hatha yoga”.
This yoga consists of eighty-four numbers of fundamental posture or the asanas. Moreover, hatha yoga is all about creating a body that is not a hurdle in your life and the body which becomes a stepping stone for blossoming into your highest possibility.
Origin of Hatha Yoga
The origin of Hatha yoga is traced back to the 11th century AD. Some yogis claim that hatha yoga was originally developed by enlightened gurus to help people survive during the Age of Kali, or the spiritual dark ages.
Moreover, many yoga including hatha yoga is considered to have an eightfold path to enlightenment and complete health. These eight steps consist of
Moral and ethical considerations
- Self-discipline
- Posture
- Breathing Control
- Control of Desires
- Concentration
- Meditation
- Happiness
The moral and ethical considerations in the eightfold pathway also consist of abstinence from any sexual contact and freeing one’s mind from any attachment in any form.
The Different Forms of Hatha Yoga
- Asana – Yoga Posture
- Pranayama – breathing exercise
- Mantra – Chanting or Reciting powerful Sanskrit slokas
- Mudra – Hand gestures
- Shatkriyas or Shantikarma – A cleansing technique
- Meditation – For a clear, focused and calm mind
Mechanism of Action of Hatha Yoga
Hatha yoga means yoga which helps to balance your inner sun and moon. This yoga is rather like a physical preparation of your body to reach your higher possibility which is beyond the physical matter itself. While analyzing anyone carefully, we can easily come to a conclusion of what emotional state a person is in just by watching their sitting position or their asanas.
Moreover, there is a saying that we have different postures while we are happy, sad or angry. Therefore, by conversing this science of asanas, if we can consciously get into different body posture, we can also elevate our consciousness to a higher level.
While understanding Hatha yoga in-depth, this yoga is all about making your comfort zone universal. That is to say, this yoga helps you to attain harmony of health, joy, blissfulness, and above all balance in any position of life by being at ease.
Therefore, these reasons make hatha yoga a powerful way of living; and this power is not imposed on any other being but is essential to attain a higher form of life itself.