What does Hatha Yoga Consist Of?

One of the most often asked questions on Hatha Yoga is on what constitutes Hatha Yoga? In this post we’ll explain in details the constituents of Hatha Yoga to give you a clear explanation of Hatha Yoga.

Much of what you see in the Yoga poses, Yoga asanas, meditation, pranayama, breathing exercises mentioned in Yoga constitute Hatha Yoga.

The origins of Hatha Yoga can be traced originally to Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, where the third limb of Yoga (asanas or poses) later evolved into an entire discipline of Hatha Yoga.

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What is Asamprajana Samadhi? The eight limbs of Yoga

Asmaprajnata Samadhi is the ultimate state of awareness, the state of consciousness where nothing can be discerned except the pure self. (Read more about this in the goal of yoga). This is the ultimate goal of yoga Asmaprajnata Samadhi is the 8th limb and the final limb of yoga presented by Patanjali. The 8 Limbs…

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Hatha Yoga and Yoga Poses

The most commonly seen forms of Yoga poses are essentially Hatha Yoga. Even breathing exercices, anulom vilom etc. can be constituted as a part of Hatha Yoga. The meaning of the word Hatha can be traced to Hatha Yoga pradipika, which was the first text that compiled all works i.e. asanas (poses), pranayama, mudras under one umbrella. It also discussed the shat kriya (six inner cleansing practices) that are characteristic of Hatha Yoga. It also emphasizes on the Yoga Sutras by Patanjali.

Hatha Yoga and Breathing Exercises

Breathing exercises, pranayama also come under Hatha Yoga. If you go through a typical Hatha Yoga sequence, you’ll find pranayama to be an integral part of it. These sequences will contain Surya Namaskar (sun salutation), Kapalbhati (Skull shining breath), Anulom Vilom (Alternate nostril breathing) apart from the poses (asanas)

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Hatha Yoga Sequence – Basic

Hatha Yoga Sequence can be followed in multiple ways depending on the time available, level of expertise, and comfort in doing Yoga poses (asanas) of the individual. There is no clear guide on Hatha Yoga sequence. However based on the principles of Chakras, one can draw a sequencing of Asanas beginning with Crown chakra and…

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Hatha Yoga and health benefits

Hatha Yoga is today practiced due to the numerous health benefits. There is well documented research on the mental and physical benefits of Hatha Yoga. It helps with the nervous system, musc

Conclusion

Hatha Yoga consists of much of modern day yoga i.e. Yoga poses, breathing exercises, sun salutations. It is an elaborate set of techniques that expand on the asanas, and pranayama, which are the third and the fourth limbs of Yoga as mentioned in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra.

You can trace its evolution to Hatha Yoga Pradipika, which is one of the earliest texts on Hatha Yoga which compiled all the asana, pranayama, mudra and detailed out techniques. Many other texts much later then added more to the discipline of Hatha Yoga and made it in to an elaborate practice to keep your body and mind fit and healthy.

Hatha Yoga details out Yoga poses for each energy center (chakra) of your body. In the last century, it has again been revived and its benefits have been seen by the world due to the efforts of many teachers of Hatha Yoga. Tirumalai Krishnamacharya propagated Hatha Yoga in the 20th century and made it very popular. He is considered to be an influential modern day Yoga Guru is also referred to as the “father of the modern day yoga”. Global initiatives such as celebration of the international day of Yoga is also helping spread awareness of Yoga (Hatha Yoga in essence).