Vinyasa Yoga Flow

by Tirtha Acharya | Aug 6, 2017 | Yoga

What is  Vinyasa Yoga Flow?

Vinyasa Yoga Flow is derived from Hatha Yoga. In spite of many similarities and being the style originated from Hatha Yoga, it differentiates in many ways as it follows faster pace and asanas are connected in a sequence and series of movements with synchronized breaths. It focuses more on breath and transition that is made in every in and out of the postures. Instead of relaxing and loosening the body as like traditional Hatha Yoga style, it instead incorporates the way of flow (Vinyasa yoga flow)and continuity of the asana practice.

The Sanskrit word ‘vinyasa’ means ‘variation within parameters’ or ‘transition between two movements’ which expands the place and platform for different asanas with varieties of taste and toasts to bite! However, the vinyasa style of yoga can be more fun and interesting for the practitioners who have been following yoga for sometimes. It may not be suitable practice for a newbie who rather prefers gentler form of yoga. Again, there is always chance and offer of accepting the challenge of vinyasa in spite of being a newcomer in the field of yoga.

It’s a dynamic form of yoga which is performed in a flow with the combination of breath, movement, and gesture of the body.  In the contemporary society, it has been one of the most influential styles of yoga as it strings asanas in a sequence with the flow which has somehow oppose the long-standing traditional procedure of hatha yoga which demands relaxation in between every posture. To make the area broader, it also can combine some other popular style such as Ashtanga Vinyasa and Power Yoga with its practice.

Generally, vinyasa is understood as the transitional poses like chaturanga Dandasana, upward facing dog, downward facing dog performed in between every poses. As a yoga practitioner who loves to practice different asana every day, the vinyasa yoga flow can be the best way to heal and help one boom and boast in the practice of yoga.

There may be a various way of conducting the vinyasa yoga flow. Nevertheless, the indispensable factor of this style of yoga is sun salutation with the movement of breathing and body. Indeed, vinyasa style comprises advanced asanas and wonderful alignment. On the basis of schooling and style of yoga teacher has learned, he or she tries to run the class; some starts with sitting postures and some stretching whereas other may begin with standing postures. Above all, all these varieties come under the same umbrella because they contain the vinyasa.

What appeals one for Vinyasa Yoga Flow?

 With the significance of yoga heightens day by day, the style of practice has comprehensively been taken into consideration and application. Among this newly developed and highly sought-after style of yoga is Vinyasa Yoga Flow. Since it has been able to comprise different styles altogether still remaining in its principle, the synchronization of breath with the physical movement, it has found its place in the majority of yogis mat in the world.

They have adored the style enthusiastically performing it on the daily life. The question arises what may have been the cause that it has been such a popular style of yoga in the current scenario especially in the Western countries. The curiosity or query may be revealed in following passages!

As it moves from one asana to another in a continuous manner which helps to increase the cardiovascular benefits. In addition to releasing the accumulated tension and toxin of the body, it has a high effect on building the strength, increasing flexibility and reducing the stress level.

It can be regarded as benefits or weakness that it has no such hard and fast sequence to follow which allows one to go with different yoga asanas maintaining the pace sometimes faster and sometimes slower. Because of its broad area of choice and flow of your own idea, it can be both challenging and interesting style of practice as it doesn’t confine in a strict boundary of the certain sequence. As a matter of fact, this can be the best yoga style who find difficulty sticking in one specific sequence every day.

Kundalini Yoga

by Tirtha Acharya | Jul 29, 2017 | Yoga

The Sanskrit word Kundalini means ‘circular’, ‘annular’. It is also denoted as the coiled serpent which is remained in dormant form at the base of the spine. The word Shakti-Chala is the combination of the word Shakti which denotes the kundalini and the Chala the movement. Thus, the flow of kundalini up to the eyebrow center is Shakti Chala and The process is kundalini yoga.

Therefore, an energy needs to be straight from spiral form to get activated and circulated to the third eye from the root chakra finally reaching to the Crown Center. Even though the origin of Kundalini yoga is interconnected with the Tantra Yoga and Hatha Yoga, some yogis differentiate it from Hatha Yoga.

Kundalini Yoga is regarded as the combination of Bhakti Yoga, Shakti Yoga and Raja Yoga along with Kriyas and Meditation. It focuses on all these yogas for highly influential achievement or experience of Dharma or the Life Purpose liberating oneself from the Karma, the bondage of the life.  Either Kundalini or Laya, both represent the same Yoga that is awakening the serpent energy.

Elucidating the concept and core of yoga, Laya Yoga an infallible relation to the goal of yoga. Ever effecting aura of yoga has been embraced with the meaning of Laya refers to ‘dissolution’, ‘absorption’, and ‘extinction’.

Based on the same principle of the absorption of the individual self to the supreme self through the process of specified yogic practices by circulating the quiescent energy to the top of the head from the base of the spine makes the Laya Yoga as one of the vital facets of Yoga.

The practice concentrates on kriyas and meditation to prepare the nervous system and balances the energy channels to make the possibility of the Kundalini energy to flow from the spine to the crown center.

The yoga asanas are designed to aim the activation of the certain center such as navel, crown, other chakra centers, and whole spine as well as the implication of Bandhas and Pranayamas to regulate the prana, the vital force, in a systematic manner to the higher part of the body.

The practice concerning on the elements of Patanjali’s Kriya Yoga such as Tapas (discipline or perseverance), Swadhyaya (spiritual study or self-study), and Ishwarpranidhan (Devotion to the God) are also practiced in Kundalini Yoga.

As a process of awakening the dormant energy, Kundalini Yoga has an undeviating relation and stimulus with the philosophical aspect of Shaktism and Tantric school of Yoga which incorporates the practice of yoga asana, pranayama, bandhas, and meditation.

In this sense, Hatha Yoga has the greater influence on Kundalini Yoga in that later comprises the ingredient of former in its practice and procedure to activate the latent energy supposed to be stationed at the base of the spine in a passive state.

The Yogic scriptures of around 15^th century such as Hatha Yoga Pradipika and Shiv Samhita have been very influential texts to enhance the significance of the Kundalini Yoga.

Shiv Samhita has mentioned the implication of four yogas; Mantra, Hatha, Laya and Raja to lead oneself into the higher state of awareness and the liberating oneself from the labyrinth of duality.

Who Is Kundalini Yoga Suitable For?

Kundalini Yoga is one of the best yogic practices for the heightened and in-depth entrance into the intricacies of yoga going beyond the boundary of yoga asana. Still assembling the physical postural practice, it tends to concentrate on arising the chakra of the body working on pranic and subtle energy level.

With the specific orientation to activate chakra, the postures are set. The postures are performed to effect the energy of certain chakra in the combination of pranayama, bandhas, and meditation with visualization. It can be the best choice for the seekers who have better interest and inclination towards Chakra activation and its’ relations to the awakening of Kundalini Shakti.

Kundalini Yoga can be the fascinating and integral style for the spiritual practitioners who are inspired and dedicated to cleansing the energy channel and making the physical body as the bridge to reach to the state of liberation through its yogic association.

In General, Kundalini Yoga class is begun with mantra chanting, spinal stretching, and flexibility followed by particular asanas for chakras leading to the meditation and end of the class with closing songs or mantras.  Even though Kundalini Yoga has its perennial history and link to the ancient yogic practice as guru-discipline tradition, it has been practiced in the different style and in many schools.

As long as the zest of Kundalini Yoga i.e. activating the kundalini energy is placed on high and intact, the style or pattern would not be discarded as not being a Kundalini Yoga. The Yoga which basically focuses on stimulating the energy center and awakening the Kundalini energy by its proper practice that is Kundalini Yoga in the broader sense.

For realizing the divine destiny of Kundalini Yoga, numerous schools of yoga have been running having carried slightly different philosophies but not forgetting the crux and fundamental aspects of Kundalini Yoga.

 In the modern time, Yogi Bhajan has been perceived as the pioneer yogi who started Kundalini Yoga in 1969 in the west beguiling the principle of Healthy, Happy and Holy or 3HO by setting up an organization named Healthy Happy and Holy Organization.

Nevertheless, it is still the exotic and esoteric practice in Nepal and India revealed only to the disciples in a very specific and systematic way who are in strict and intensive Sadhana in the discipleship of a guru for few years at least.

Bandha (pranic lock)-a yogic practice

by Tirtha Acharya | Jul 5, 2017 | Yoga

In spite of their distinct practice, Bandha has also been traditionally incorporated with other yogic practices such asana, pranayama, and mudras. Therefore, they posit themselves as the significant constituents of yogic practice. The Sanskrit word ‘Bandha’ means ‘to lock’ or ‘to restrict’. Applying certain lock in the certain part of the body, the practice of Bandha is made. The flow of prana is protected performing Bandhas. In order to preserve and redirect the prana to the energy center, the lock in the physical body is applied which leads to an effect on the pranic body.

For awakening psychic genii, the application and regular practice of bandha have greater help. Actually, the Bandhas has a direct connection with granthis (psychic knots). The psychic knots indeed prevents the free-flow of energy along the Sushumna Nadi which also bars in activating the kundalini.  There are mainly four Bandhas; Moola Bandha, Uddiyana Bandha, Jalandhara Bandha and Maha Bandha, the combination of first three Bandhas.

Moola Bandha is connected to Brahma Granthi whereas Uddiyana bandha is connected with Vishnu Granthi and Jalandhara Bandha is interlinked with Rudra Granthi. Brahman Granthi is allied with first two chakras Mooladhara and Swadisthana chakras mainly focused on survival instinct, awareness, and innate insight. Vishnu Granthi is related with Manipura and Anahata chakras which emphasize on the nourishment of Pranamaya Kosha ( Pranic Body) and Manomaya Kosha( Mental Body) respectively resulting in the effect of Annamaya Kosha ( Physical Body).

Furthermore, Rudra granthi is accompanied with Visuddhi and Ajna chakras centering on Vijnanamaya Kosha (Intellectual Body) which concerns on higher intuitive and intellectual understanding. In this regard, Bandha is applied in our yogic practice for awakening and allying our consciousness into universal consciousness starting through the physical level of practice.

Jalandhara Bandha

Jalandhara Bandha emphasizes the locking of the throat so that the breath that has been inhaled will be held in between the throat and pelvic floor. At the throat, the lock is applied not to allow the breath go away from this point placing the chin in the upper part of your body in the notch between your color bones.

The word Jala refers to ‘net’ and Dhara means ‘flow, stream’. The practice which locks the net of the stream of the energy from this point at the throat is generally perceived as Jalandhara Bandha.  It also has the meaning of locking the flow of nectar which descends down to Visuddhi Chakra followed by the entrance into other chakras. Thus, the practice of Jalandhara Bandha preserves the prana.

Jalandhara Bandha compresses the carotid sinuses which are located in the carotid arteries in the neck. The carotid sinuses help to control the respiratory and circulatory system properly. It also regulates the increased breathing and heavier breathing. It also develops one-pointed state of mind, release tension, anxiety, anger, and laziness. The thyroid is also balanced and metabolism is also maintained in a proper manner.

Technique:

1. Sit in any comfortable posture keeping the eyes closed and spine erect.
2. Place your palms flat on the knees.
3. Inhale and retain the breath. Bend the head forward to place chin to the upper part of your chest in the notch between the color bones.
4. Straighten the arms and press the knees with the hands at the same time also raise the shoulders upward and forward creating the hunch little bit on the upper back.
5. Stay in this position for few seconds and then release your shoulders, arms and throat lock making your head upright and then exhale.
6. You can practice three to ten rounds.

Contra-indication:

A person suffering from cervical spondylitis, vertigo, epilepsy, high blood pressure, heart disease, and high intracranial pressure should be cautious and are recommended not to practice Jalandhara Bandha.

Uddiyana Bandha

The practice of Uddiyana Bandha necessitates the contraction of the abdomen. The word Uddiyana Bandha literally means Abdominal Contraction. The process of flying upward is the meaning of word Uddiyan. In the practice, the stomach is lifted upward and inward to the diaphragm and chest. Before directly jumping to the practice of abdominal contraction in the sitting posture, the preparatory practice can be performed.

Standing with feet about half a meter apart, you will take a deep inhalation and you will exhale simultaneously and slowly bend forward from your waist. Your palm will be above your kneecaps fingers facing downward with slight bending of your knees. You will start to feel that your abdomen is moving upward and close to your spine. After for few comfortable minutes or seconds, you will slowly make your head upright. You may need to exhale and inhale while coming to the standing posture. Now the practice can be performed in sitting posture.

The practice of Uddiyana Bandha has the higher effect on the liver and pancreas. It stimulates the digestive fire. In addition, it also massages the abdominal organs which also helps to balance the adrenal glands leading us to the soothing and calming state decreasing lethargy and sluggishness as well as releasing tension and anxiety of the body and mind. The practice of Uddiyana Bandha has been very effective for the proper blood circulation in the entire torso of the body.

Technique:

1. Sit in any comfortable posture with spine erect and eyes closed.
2. Place your palms flat on your knees while keeping your elbows straight.
3. Take a deep inhalation and exhale completely which means the Bahya Kumbhaka (External Retention) will be applied.
4. Raise your shoulders which will allow the extension of your spinal cord.
5. Lock the throat that is Jalandhara Bandha placing chin to the chest.
6. Contract the abdominal muscles upward and inward to spine. Hold the abdominal lock as much as you feel comfortable still applying external retention.
7. Release your abdomen and make your head upright.
8. Take a deep inhalation and exhale and relax.
9. Uddiyana Bandha can be performed three to ten round in single sitting.

Contra-indication:   During pregnancy, Uddiyana Bandha is not recommended to practice. Besides, the lock is advised not to practice for people having the issues of high blood pressure, stomach ulcer, heart disease, glaucoma, colitis, diaphragmatic hernia, and intracranial pressure.

Moola Bandha

Moola Bandha requires the lock at the certain muscles of pelvic region in the perineum. The area between anus and testes is contracted and pulled upward for the practice of Moola Bandha. In the process of practicing Moola Bandha, the application of Ashwini Mudra and Vajroli/Sahajoli Mudra also become an essential yogic practice to understand and differentiate as these three have similar and close connection indeed. The contraction of an anus is Ashwini Mudra also called Horse Psychic Attitude.  The contraction of testis for men and contraction of labia for women is called Vajroli and Sahajoli respectively.

Moola Bandha can be practiced along with other yogic practice such as pranayama and asanas as well as it can be practiced separately. It is connected with emotion, happiness, sadness, ecstasy and gloomy, anger and joy all are part of the emotion. At the beginning of the practice, a separate practice of each bandha is essential for its proper understanding and experience. The practice of Moola Bandha has numerous benefits to be mentioned.

It’s not only about physical and emotional uplift does it make, but also the spiritual and mental aspects. It has been boon for transferring the sexual energy into the spiritual awakening path. Pelvic nerves and urogenital and excretory systems also get stimulated by the Moola Bandha. The issues of psychosomatic such as depression and degenerative issues can be lessened and relieved by the practice of Moola Bandha.

Technique

1. Sit in any comfortable posture and close your eyes.
2. Place your palms on your knees and make chin or jnana mudra with your index fingers and thumbs.
3. Take deep inhalation. Place your chin on the upper part of your chest in the notch between your color bones to apply Jalandhara Bandha and hold your breath.
4. Contract your pelvic floor, the area between your testes and anus in the perineum.
5. Slowly make your head upright and release Moola Bandha and then Jalandhara Bandha.
6. Then exhale and relax. The practice can be performed for 10 times.

Contra-indication:  It is not recommended to practice Moola Bandha during menstruation.

Yoga Holiday in Nepal

by Tirtha Acharya | May 21, 2017 | Yoga

The reasons can be numerous when the visit to Nepal comes in mind. More than ever in the history of human civilization has yoga been as fascinating and curious subject of study and learning as it has been in the recent years. With such highly growing field of study and learning, even the holidays have been prepared to learn and get idea on yoga. In such perspectives of Yoga and its’ booming scenario, Yoga Holiday has been the search of many travelers.

Along with their other interested list of planning, Yoga also has been included too much extent. Seeing such situation of yoga, it has been the part of holiday. Nepal being the very origin of Yoga can be the most amazing and unbelievable experience and visit as Yoga Holiday.

Yoga is inherited in Nepal

On the blessed berth of Himalayas and wonderful lands of natural lakes, flora and fauna would enthrall you during your yoga holiday in Nepal. A person with yogic aspiration wondering to find the best place for the yoga holiday should not miss an opportunity to visit Nepal, the piece of heaven in the earth. Yoga awakens and enlarges our inner core and inner self leading us to introspect our own reality.

Having said that, the environment also would inspire us to take on the journey of self-inquiry, Nepal can be one of the best choices to heal your heart and head with harmonious atmosphere. Even if one doesn’t want to engage and work pedagogical part of yoga, the visit and arrival into this part of the world would enthuse and embrace one to move further in the yogic path of life.

The eight highest mountains out of top ten are endowed to Nepal by the grace of nature. The view of glittering snow-capped mountains would engross one completely. Along with the yoga experience in the precinct of authentic teachers, one can feel the magnitude and aura of this divine made auspicious by many yogis and yogins. Nepal indeed is the place for penance for many yoga practitioners. The vibration of those yogis works in favour of our path to realize our own self.

Real Experience of Yogic World

For deeper understanding and experience of what yoga means, Yoga Holiday in Nepal would be the cent percent justifiable choice. The arrival into this holy land, one would feel oneself very close to the self. The smile of the people welcome you everywhere you go. Even though they have traits like general human beings, they would always try to smile when they see you. The smile you receive has no any selfish motif hidden.

It’s just flawless and innocent expression of their big heart for the guest and people who visit this sacred country. To receive the greeting of Namaste, you would not go to any specific organization of hospitality rather the pedestrians would greet you Namaste with ease and joy. Indeed, Nepal has carried and cultivated the manner of hospitality and generosity as a culture. There is no training and taming for many illiterate people in the remote region of the country.

However, the respect and honor they offer you would be experienced by paying the cash in the luxurious star hotels. If the interest to know the genuine generosity and humbleness of the people comes under your list of search and exploration, then Nepal would definitely come among top. Directly or indirectly, Nepali culture has ingrained and inherited by the schooling of ancient tradition of yoga. The understanding of yoga as an asana which is done on the mat can be highly refined and evaluated in Yoga Holiday in Nepal.

From Amateur to Professional Path for Yoga

At this point of time, your interest on yoga may only be as an amateur or a very popular phrase which says the voice of many people i.e. ‘on and off’. It’s the word people mostly use when the matter of yoga asana practice comes. Yoga Holiday in Nepal can be the way to harness and nourish your yoga path in long-lasting manner. The raw state of concept on yoga would get ripe coming here in this yogic world where your aspiration to be a passionate yogi come true. Your planning to be a yogi with heart would get better height during your precious time on Yoga Holiday in Nepal.

Even though the expectation and goal of participating on Yoga Holiday differ. Some would prefer to loss the weight, few other would love to have deeper understanding through learning. The preference of some people mainly focuses on meditation and quietness rather than dynamic and physical kinds of movement especially done during physical asanas.

Natural prosperity soothes you

Half your stress and anxiety would be relieved once you land at the airport to see the glorious views of the hills surrounded around the valley. The nature lover without any doubt enjoy the prosperity and panoramic unfoldment of the nature in front of them while visiting any natural site of Nepal. Once you exits the metropolitan bustling and hustling crow of the city, you come very close to the freshening and enlivening atmosphere of the nature.

Greenery jungles and hills can be enjoyed with hiking. The irritating horns of the vehicles in the city would lead you to the swashbuckling site very close the capital city Kathmandu. Your Yoga Holiday would be memorable with the exploration and observations of such natural splendors of the valley. Yoga Holiday would become more fruitful and wonderful than you would ever imagine. The climate of this valley called Kathmandu would allure you more than anything else in the city if you are searching for the place with moderate climate.

Also the capital city of Nepal, Kathmandu serve you the best climate with sunny, moderate cold, little rains etc. Definitely, there are many places having very cold temperature in the country with snow-fallings and chill weather as well as the scorching hot and humid lands at the lowland Terai region. Nevertheless, the choice to experience different geographical structures in a small area inside the territory of a single country would be addressed once one comes to visit this amazing country.

Yoga Holiday in Nepal would harness one keeping one very close to one’s heart. The realization of the self and introspect of the self, time for observing oneself would increase with the proximity of the nature. Indeed, Yoga Holiday offers you a lot of time to inspect and evaluate oneself away from the daily works and duties. One get free time to relax and recharge oneself with the idea and insights of different culture and conditions.

Yoga Holiday takes you into the new land where you experience new learning. You would not carry any burden and responsibility of the career with you during the period of Yoga Holiday. You would rather vacant your mind so that you could fill the innovative and novel thoughts and experience in the mind.

Yoga Holiday and Culture

Yoga Holiday in Nepal, on the one hand, helps to open your yogic path in greater height, on the other hand, you would be amazed to experience the cultural prosperity of this country. Almost every day there is one festival going on in the valley. It is even said that there more festivals than the actual days of a year.

It means to say that the cultural stamina and prosperity is incomparable to any place in the world in its own unique manner. In this small nation you find more than one hundred castes and mother tongues. Cultural diversity of the country is incredible and bountiful that one would not be able to grasp the whole tradition of such prodigal and extravagant culture even though it offers a lot of harmony and coherence among the people.

Yoga Holiday in Nepal would offer you a time to observe and dig in the cultural tenets and templates of the country as well as its fathomless relation with the Yoga. The understanding of yoga as a practice which is done on the mat gest questions and puzzle to follow the broader area and aspect of the ocean called Yoga while one indulges oneself into the study of yoga through its root connection and cultural implication of yoga philosophy.

Conducive Environment for the Yoga Practice

Yoga Holiday in Nepal would be fruitful in the sense that the environment of this country is very conducive to the practice of yoga and spirituality. The freshening and remote places of the country would not make you feel remote when you experience the exotic environment of its unique atmosphere. Yoga Holiday generally gives one an impression of being in very serene, relax and calm state without any burden and tension of external affairs.

The idea of yoga holiday is to release the anxiety, stress and having rest from workaholic schedule to recharge and energize the mind. For such a serious purpose of a person, Yoga holiday with lovely environment where one can breathe in the fresh air and make the mind tranquil. The natural lakes, lands, hills, Himalayans and prosperous property of Nepal captivates one in a way that one enjoys such favorable environment with excitement and enthusiasm which also can be plus point for yoga practice during yoga holiday.

The place of Enlightened Soul Buddha

One of the most significant reasons to make Yoga Holiday in Nepal would be its recognition as the birth place of Lord Buddha, the enlightened soul. Indeed, he was also a yogi who realized the state of nirvana. For yoga enthusiast, it would be absolutely an inspiration and life-changing experience to get the view and visit of such Mukta purush’s (Enlightened Master) land. The vibration and waves of the spirituality has been alive still to this date.

The affectionate environment and energetic atmosphere by the penance and positive waves of great yogis, Nepal, without any doubt, can be the best choice for Yoga Holiday. The visit to Nepal in Yoga Holiday would offer you an opportunity to understand yogic culture and customs of this divine land. The deep connection of spirituality can be observed among the people even though there are many people except the followers of Buddhism.

Above all, the aura of this land has been purified and cleansed by the birth of enlightened master like Buddha. Therefore, Yoga Holiday in Nepal would not only be the matter of learning physical posture on the mat but to widen and expand the horizon of understandings in the subject of Yoga.

Abode of Yoga’s Progenitor God Shiv

When you come to know that the progenitor of the yoga called God Shiva whose abode lies at Himalayas which by the grace of the almighty is located in Nepal. In this very reason would be the one striking point for the Yoga Holiday in Nepal. If you are searching for the originality of the Yin and Yang philosophy you would prefer to go to China. If you are wondering for the place where Christ was born, you would want to visit Jerusalem.

As far as Yoga is concerned, it always and ever has been highly connected to the pristine and precious land called Nepal. In the high Himalayas of Nepal the God Shiv abides according to Yoga Philosophy. Considering all these things, it would not be exaggeration if it is said that yoga was initially commenced from Nepal. A place which has been in hindsight in the talk of yoga indeed is the original and ancient place of Yoga.

Yoga Holiday in this forgotten land has many more to do with a yogi with enthusiastic and curious mind. Even though the root of the yoga may be nothing to do with the journey of an individual who has wholeheartedly lived one’s life with the hope to unite with the Supreme Self, the understanding and visiting of such vibrational place would inspires many yoga enthusiast in greater amount. Let’s make the Yoga Holiday in Nepal.

The bundle of breath-taking memory

As a Yoga Holiday undertaker, you would not only confined to the idea of learning the things on mats and try to enjoy on the process, you also are offered with different exhilarating experiences. You would go to visit for rafting in some natural rivers of Nepal. You would also be able to enjoy the swashbuckling experience of bunjee jumping. Your interest to dive and dwell in the sky would be completed taking on paragliding.

Jungle safari, boating on the natural lakes, sight-seeing of mesmerizing views of snow-capped mountains and picturesque valleys and lowlands, cable car tour etc would be on the list of a person who would want to come to Nepal. The subject of hiking and trekking are the most famous events done by tourists. Your journey to yoga holiday would be heightened by innumerable experiences. Yoga Holiday in Nepal would be the most fascinating experience ever in your life once you land in such an incredible piece in the earth.

What is Hatha Yoga?

by Tirtha Acharya | May 7, 2017 | Yoga

In spite of its popularity and overwhelming craze for yoga, one aspect of hatha yoga called asana has been regarded as the yoga. Indeed, hatha yoga is one the ways to reach to the state of yoga by various means and procedures. Even though all kinds of yoga requires certain process and practices, they are not similar. In Hatha Yoga, the substantial concern lies on the asana, shat karma, pranayama, mudra, bandha and meditation.

If we see the process of Raja Yoga by Patanjali yoga sutra, asana, pranayama and meditation have been included in the eight limbs. In this manner, it can be said that hatha yoga is also the part of Raja Yoga. However, it doesn’t include the first few steps as mentioned in eight limbs of Patanjali. The priority for Hatha Yogi seems to be in physical level in the beginning rather than being more focused on behaviors and self-disciplines.

It mainly undergoes with the cleansing of the body and its toxins while commencing the journey of yoga. The idea of hatha yoga is to balance the physical body first to indulge into pranic and mental body. When one is quite familiar and friendly to the movements and positions of the body with the asana and shat karmas in relation to the effect it gives, one also assimilates the practice of internal cleansing in pranic level through the practice of pranayama.

In addition to asana, shat karma, pranayama, the practice of mudra and bandha are applied in the journey of hatha yoga. Being able to control the prana, the vital force, one then follows the path of meditation which empowers one to be able to control the mind. The practice of meditation indeed leads one very close to the state of Samadhi.

History of Hatha Yoga

When the history of hatha yoga is brought into the discussion, the mention of hatha yoga as the part of Tantra Yoga in some of the ancient texts and scriptures is one of the striking point to be considered. The practice of Tantra yoga which mainly focuses in achieving the powers and psychic ability has been regarded as a barrier to reach to the state of liberation. One, therefore, is expected to follow the continuous path of yoga without getting entangled in the Siddhis (powers) we gain through the Sadhana (practice).

The journey of hatha yoga is resembled with the activation of Kundalini Energy remained in the dormant form at the pelvic region. At the moment, the latent energy flows up to the Agna Chakra, one becomes able to achieve the goal of Hatha Yoga. The yoga which allows the ways to combine between the moon and the Sun, the ida and pingala, the Shiva and Shakti, the Ying and Yang has been conceived and followed as Hatha Yoga.

The state when the energy follows further up to the Sahashra Chakra, the crown centre, then the state remains no more as hatha yoga rather it enters into the divine and blissful state of yoga. There remains no gap between the individual self and the Supreme Self. The egoless state and the state of union occurs which has been named as yoga. Thus, the practice of hatha yoga seems to be quintessential for a person who wants to grasp and experience the ultimate state which widens the boundary even for being close and in harmony to the physical body and mind.

Above all, hatha yoga is the practice to reach and realize the higher stand of mind. It is a science which not only works on physical body but also in mental and pranic level. Incepting the practice in physical level, hatha yoga leads one into the sacred path to create the balance in overall aspects of human development and raise the level of the utmost consciousness.

Because of its inherent nature of accepting and approving the idea of physical awareness and cleansing, it should not create the confusion about Hatha yoga’s periphery of understanding. It means to say that hatha yoga doesn’t not only work on physical level. As a matter of fact, with the certain process, it keeps continuing its journey further in deeper level with the hope of getting enlightened. Indeed, there should be no dilemma that hatha yoga is the part of Raja Yoga, the yoga which ultimately seeks the state of Samadhi.

Hatha Yoga even though popularly known as the physical practice which only combines asanas, it also extends to the area of purification of the body through certain actions(shat karma), pranayama (breathing), diet, ethics and the idea of meditation to lead the yogic life.

Origin of Hatha Yoga

The world differs the view on the origin of hatha yoga. Majority and common belief supports that the tradition of Hatha Yoga has been interrelated to the Nath tradition. On the other hand, few argue that the system of hatha yoga was initially commenced from Dashnami Sampradaya of Advaita Vedanta.

Before taking the meditation into the practice, it was felt necessary and elementary to purify the body and mind. Therefore, Yogi Matsyendranath established the system of Nath which mainly focused and prepared the system to go with the very procedural path of Yoga. The name given to that system was Hatha Yoga.

With the very practical process in mind, Hatha Yoga Pradipka doesn’t deal with Yama and Niyama in the very beginning of the practice of Yoga as in Buddhism, Jainism also Sage Patanjali’s Raja Yoga. The priority in Hatha Yoga has been put for bodily purification before any self-control and self-discipline practice. More than anything, Shatkarma has been put in an initial stage of the practice which is mainly focused on physical cleansing.

Before jumping into the practice of controlling the mind, Hatha yoga prefers and suggests to focus on cleansing the body, being able to remain in certain posture with discipline and the ability to control the breath which can be taken as self-control. In Hatha Yoga, the practice of discipline and self-control can be started from asana and pranayama rather than leaping into the state of mind control.

Hatha Yoga Sciene of Purification

The purification of the nadis and tattwas has to be conducted. The process of Hatha Yoga also emphasizes on harmony among prana, entire nervous system and secretions in the body. Then after one is advised to practice the mudra such as vajroli, sahajoli, khechari, shambhavi, vipareeta karani mudras.

Hatha Yoga has been considered as the science of purification. It helps to purify not only one aspects of the body but of six kinds. After the overall cleansing of the body, one tend to open the doorway for the energy channel and impurities inside the body are also released.

Indeed, hatha yoga has also been regarded as the preparatory or elementary practice for Kundalini Yoga, Raja Yoga and Kriya Yoga. The aim of Hatha yoga is to create the harmony between and among the body, mind and energy. The state of balance among these elements helps to open the path of sushumna nadi which has been believed as the central force for developing the human consciousness.

The word Hatha is the combination of two beej mantras ‘ha’ and ‘tha’. ‘Ha’ refers to pranic force and ‘tha’ refers to mental force. The union or combination of two becomes the Hatha Yoga. In other words, the yoking of pranic and mental force is called Hatha Yoga. As a matter of fact, each and everything existed in the universe has been endowed with these elements. They can be explained as matter and energy. Indeed, when the addition of two elements occur, the awakening of higher consciousness takes place.

Hatha Yoga mainly purposes to balance the two forces ida and pingala. The ida nadi represents the  mental energy. The pingala nadi represents the pranic energy. In Hatha Yoga, first of all the physical body is purified by the six actions. By the practice of six actions, one releases the toxins inside the body. The body secretes three types of the body: acidity, gas and mucus.  When the physical body is purified by the practice of six action and asana, the practice of pranayama helps to open the energy channel. The opening of the energy channel leads one to the meditation.

In the spiritual world, many people skip the asana and other preparatory practices before jumping to the meditation. It’s because they think that being a spiritual person one can’t be more focused on physical body and it’s cleansing. The main and major concern should be in maintaining the balance of mind. Definitely, the logic of mind balance sound awesome. However, the procedure of jumping directly to meditation sounds hopeless for many people. Therefore, hatha yoga has tried to be a channel to combine the practice of physical body, mind and spirit as well.

Six Kriyas also called as Shat Karmas of Hatha Yoga are as follows:

1. Neti
2. Dhauti
3. Vasti
4. Nauli
5. Kapalbhati
6. Tratak

It is also believed both in scientific world as well as in spiritual world that there is existence of matter and energy. And the matter can be transformed into energy. The practice of hatha yoga also has mainly concerned on dealing with both matter and energy the body. Only the difference would be the name. Some school of philosophy prefer to say Prakriti (Nature) and Purush(Consciousness), some would denote it as Shiv and Shakti as well as Yin and Yang.

Hatha Yoga is the practice of union between prana and mind with the self. In the pranic level, we have three energy channels which are namely known as ida, pingala and sushumna. The objectives of hatha has been placed in purifying these energy channels first before even stepping into the journey of working in the kundalini energy.

The ida nadi represents the negative energy which focuses on consciousness, the pingala nadi represents positive energy which focuses on vital force and the sushumna nadi deals with neutrality which concerns on spiritual awakening. One of the major objective of Hatha Yoga is to awaken the kundalini Shakti remained dormant in the root centre at the pelvic region. Before practicing the Kundalini activation, the activation and balance of three nadis and its opening is vital to harmonize the situation of the energy and prana.

Even before balancing the three nadis, its always important to balance and open the blockage of the nadis inside the body. The practice of opening the nadis centre is also called the chakra cleansing. When one cleanses the chakra centre and allows to circulate the energy with ease and comfort then the flow of the energy through sushumna nadi becomes possible. The flow of kundalini energy through sushumna nadi to the Ajna chakra completes the goal of hatha yoga. The yoga only becomes possible or happens when the kundalini energy also the form of Shakti connects with the Consciousness situated at the crown center.

The practice of hatha yoga in this regard has assimilated physical, mental and spiritual aspects. The practice of hatha yoga is not only focused on mind and body also intended to develop the human consciousness. The practice of Hatha yoga in this sense has not only remained and constrained in dealing with physical health.

It also has been the factor of betterment in mental health, personality, nature and the overall development of a person a human being. In this sense, hatha yoga cannot to be confined as the idea of making the body and mind fit and fine. In addition to the bodily and mental balance stamina, the aim of hath yoga is to involve into the track of evolutionary human consciousness.

Hatha yoga emphasizes on the control of the prana first. The idea of controlling the mind seems possible only through the control of prana for Hatha Yoga. The inborn tendency of mind being monkey nature can only be controlled by restraining and regulating the pranic force with pranayama. In the context of modern life and society where people find very difficult to concentrate their mind and lead the good life without any disturbance and orientation.

The lesson of enlightened people such as Buddha and Christ who suggest for good life with good mind. Even though the advice offered by such super human being cannot be wrong, the state of mind and level of understanding which is needed for living such god life with good mind seems very rare in this externally motivated world. Instead of such highlighted ways of the great souls, the idea of hatha yoga which seems very practical to the modern man as it focuses first on working on the breath which we’ve been doing till we die.

The systematic control and harmony with the breath can rather make a person more aware and concentrated to the self being away from external triggering and tricks. The practice of asana, pranayama, mudras and bandhas leads one to the ability to control one’s mind as it works in gradual procedure not directly attacking the mind level rather working with physical body and pranic body. The tradition and spiritual practicing of focusing on the breath brought into the effect by Buddhism, Sufism also has been the part of yoga.