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“Hatha yoga is a branch of yoga. The Sanskrit word हठ haṭha literally means “force” and thus alludes to a system of physical techniques.[2][3]
In India, hatha yoga is associated in popular tradition with the Yogis of the Natha Sampradaya through its traditional founder Matsyendranath, who is celebrated as a saint in both Hindu and Buddhist tantric and haṭha yoga schools. Almost all hathayogic texts belong to the Nath siddhas, and the important ones are credited to Matsyendranath’s disciple, Gorakhnath or Gorakshanath.[4] According to the Dattatreya Yoga Śastra, there are two forms of haṭha yoga: one practiced by Yajñavalkya consisting of the eight limbs of yoga, and another practiced by Kapila consisting of eight mudras.”
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Ashwini mudra belongs to a class of mudras that are used for sexual energy sublimation. These mudras are called Adhara or perineal mudras. They redirect the prana from the lower centers (Mooldhara chakra) of the body to the higher centers (Ajna chakra). Mudras included in the Adhara group are: Vajroli/Sahajoli mudra Ashwini Mudra Definition in … Read more
Agnisar Kriya also known as activating the digestive fire is a powerful Kriya to boost metabolism, digestion and burn fat. It is also called as cleansing by the essence of fire.
Vajra means a ‘thunderbolt’ or a ‘lightning.’ In the context of yoga, it refers to the vajra nadi that regulates the urogenital system. Vajra Nadi is also considered to be the flow of energy within the spinal column that governs the sexual systems of the body. It can be said that it is responsible for … Read more
Matsyendra also known as Mastsyendranath or Minapa, is believed to live in the early 10th century. He was a prominent promoter of Hatha Yoga (a major branch of yoga) and is credited as the guru of Gorakhnath who was the founder of the Nath Sampradaya (sect) of Yogis. Gorakhnath later became the teacher of Swatmarama, … Read more
Shambhavi Mudra or Shambhavi Kriya or Shambhavi Mahamudra is also known as bhrumadhya drishti, i.e., gazing at the eyebrow centre. The word Shambhavi here denotes the creative potential of consciousness. In yogic literature, Shiva is called Shambu, and Shambhavi is used to stir or awaken that Shambu. Shiva or Shambu is synonymous with supra-consciousness, heightened … Read more
Chapter Four of Hatha Yoga Pradipika is on the topic of Samadhi. It opens with its first verse praising Lord Shiva. Its 42nd verse talks about Shiva lingam. As we all know Shiva lingam is considered to be a symbol for many things. First, let’s understand the definition of the word: Definition Lingam is a … Read more
In the previous article, we have described the basics of Khechari mudra & its benefits. In this article, we’ll learn more about this mysterious mudra and its working principles. Besides all the allegorical praise that we offered in reverence to Khechari mudra previously, it is a highly important technique for the practice of the more … Read more
Trataka Kriya Practice is of two types: Bahir Trataka (External Concentrated Gazing) Antir Trataka (Internal Concentrated Gazing) In the previous article on Trataka, we elaborated on the meaning and concept behind this technique. Now, we will focus on benefits and how to perform the practice. Also, keeping in mind its nuances and precautions. Benefits “By … Read more
Hatha Yoga emphasizes the practices of body purification (Yoga practices also called Shatkarmas) to balance doshas before any higher practices can be done. One of these practices is called Trāṭaka (commonly written as Trataka). It involves steady and continuous gazing at an object of concentration. Trataka is also mentioned in Hindu mythology in Mahabharata. It … Read more
Introduction One of the main purposes of Hatha Yoga is to attain control over the breath, but this is difficult unless the body is purified or balanced first. The Shatkarma Kriyas (six purification processes) mentioned in the Hatha Yoga Pradipika are: Dhautī – Internal Cleansing Basti – Yogic Enema Netī – Nasal Cleansing Naulī – … Read more