Hatha Yoga Basics
Hatha
Yoga’s origin
Hatha
Yoga is a branch of yoga that uses
bodily techniques to conserve channels of vital life energy. The Sanskrit word
Hatha literally means "force", referring to a system of bodily
techniques. Some ancient practices of hatha yoga can be traced back at least
2000 years. Hindu Hatha Yoga texts appear from the 11th century
manuscript “Amṛthasiddhi” is oldest dated text so far found to describe
Hatha Yoga. The oldest texts to use the terminology of Hatha Yoga are also
found in the “Vajrayana” sect of Buddhism”.
Hatha
Yoga attains the union of the mind, body and soul (“atman”) through a practice
of Postures ("Asanas"), Breath-control
("Pranayama"), Seals or Gestures ("Mudras"), Locks ("Bandhas")
and Purification of body ("Shatkarma kriyas"). These practices
are used to strengthen and purify the mind and the physical body, and cultivate
vital life-force ("Prana") and activate “dormant spiritual
energy” ("Kundalini Sakthi").
Some of the
earliest Hatha Yoga texts, dating from the 11th to the 13th century, describe
methods for raising and preserving the "amrita" or "bindu"
(semen, menstrual fluid in men, or "rajas" in women). It was seen as
the bodily essence of life that constantly descends and is lost from the head
down. Two early hatha yoga techniques describe how to reverse this dripping
process by using gravity to trap the "bindu" in opposite postures. By
directing the flow of breath into the central channel the “Spinal Cord” (“Shushumna Nadi") using gestures
("mudras") such as "viparitakarani" ("mudras")
force the "bindu" up through the central channel "Shushumna
nadi".
Some
of the early hatha yoga texts from 11th to 13th century
describe methods to raise and preserve “Amrita” or “Bindhu” the vital
force (semen in men and menstrual fluid or “rajas” in women). This was seen as
the bodily essence of life that was constantly dripping down from the head to
bottom and being lost. Two early Hatha Yoga techniques describe how to reverse
this process of dripping by using gravity to trap the “Bindhu” in inverted
postures. Gestures (“Mudras”) like “viparithakaraṇi” force “Bindhu” upwards
through the central channel by directing the breath flow into the centre
channel using yogic seals or gestures (“mudras”).
Most
of the Hatha Yoga texts were compiled by Sage Matsendranath and his disciple
Sage Gorakhnath known as Nath siddhas. Nath siddhas contributed
immensely and their tireless effort led to the popularisation of Hatha Yoga in
India. They developed a yoga called “Layayoga” (“yoga of
dissolution") based on raising “Kuṇḍalini Sakthi” through energy
channels and six “chakras”. Nevertheless, other early Nath texts like
“Vivekamarthaṇḍa” can be seen as adopting the Hatha Yoga “mudras”. Later Nath
and Shaktha texts embraced the practices of Hatha Yoga seals or gestures
(called “mudras”) into a Shaiva system, combining them with “Layayoga” methods,
without stating “Amrita” or “bindhu”. These later texts promote a globalist
yoga that is accessible to all, "without the necessity for masters and
scholars, ritualistic procedures. Hatha Yoga focusing particularly on “Asanas”
(the physical postures) became widespread throughout the world as a form of
physical exercise.
Origins
of earliest textual references:
According to many
scholars, certain methods of hatha yoga were practised by Hindu monks ("Sanyasi")
as early as the 1st century CE. In later stages Tantric Buddhism witnessed the
transition of style to "Nath" Hatha Yoga.
Tantric
Buddhism:
The
earliest mentions of haṭha yoga as a specific set of techniques mentioned in
some 17th century Buddhist “Vajrayana” sect scripts. Amṛthasiddhi,
is a tantric Buddhist work is the initial significant manuscript defining Haṭha
yoga in 11th century CE. This text clarifies “mahabandha”,
“mahamudra”, and “mahavedha” which contain physical postures (“Asanas”) and
breath-control (“Pranayama”). It also explains procedures to conserve vital
energy (“amrita '' or “bindhu”) in the head from dripping down the central
channel and being burned by the fire at the perineum.
Early
Hindu texts:
Raising
of “Kundalini Sakthi” and activation of six chakra system is explained in the
10th century script “Kubjikamathatantra”. Hindu texts outline these practices
not only for attaining supernatural powers such as levitation (“siddhis”) but
also for liberation (“Mukthi”). In India, most of the hatha yogic texts belong
to the “Nath siddhas”, and the important scriptures are associated to Sage
Gorakhnath in the early 11th century CE. Being the founder of the “Nath
Sampradaya” the Hindu monastic movement in India, he regarded as main contributor
of Hatha Yoga. He was the disciple of Sage Matsyendranath, who is
celebrated as a saint in both Hindu, Buddhism and Tantric Haṭha Yoga schools.
Early Haṭha Yoga works include, the “Amaraughaprabhodha” in the 12th
century script. This is attributed to Sage Gorakhnath who defines three locks
(“bandhas”) to unlock the vital energy into the body. It also provided a
detailed account of raising of “Kundalini Sakthi”.
The Amaraugha Prabodha is the earliest text that
combines hatha yoga with raja yoga and this was used by Sage Swatmarama when he
compiled the masterpiece of Hatha Yoga “Hathayogapradipika”.
The
13th century CE script “Dathathreyayogasasthra”, is a “Vaisnava” text, and is
one of the earliest text which delivers an organised form of Haṭha Yoga. This
script is attributed to Sage Yajnavalkya and it imparts an eightfold yoga
identical with Sage Patanjali's eightfold limbs of yoga.
“Dathathreyayogasasthra” comprehensively explains “mahamudhra”, “mahabandha”,
“khecharimudra”, “jalandharabandha”, “uḍhiyaṇabandha, “moolabandha”,
“viparithakaraṇi”, “vajroli”, “amaroli” and “sahajoli”.
Another
contemporary script with “Dathathreyayogasasthra” is “Vivekamarthaṇḍa”, is also
contributed to Sage Gorakhnath, which explains “nabhomudhra” (another word for
“khecharimudra”), “mahamudhra”, “viparithakaraṇi” and the three locks
(“bandhas”). It also explains six “chakras” in the human body and the raising
of “Kundalini Shakti” by means of "fire yoga" (“vahini yojana”).
The
“Gorakṣashataka”, a Nath text of the same period explains “sakthikalanimudra”
(stimulation of “Goddess Saraswatī") along with the three locks
(“bandhas”). Stimulation of “Goddess Saraswati" is done by wrapping the
tongue in a cloth and pulling on it, stimulating the “Goddess Kundalini” who is
said to dwell at the other end of the central channel. This text states that
liberation (“moksha”) is attained by controlling the mind through control of
breath (“Pranayama”).
The
̣”Shamgadharapaddhathi”, is an anthology of verses on a wide range of subjects
compiled by Sage Sarngadharan in 13th century CE, describes Haṭha
Yoga including ̣the Dathathreyayogasasthra's teachings on five seals or locks
(“mudras”).
The
“Khecharividya” clarifies only the method of “khecharimudra”, which is meant to
give one access to stores of “amrita” or “bindhu”, in the body and also to
raise “Kundalini Sakthi” through six “chakras” present in the human body.
The
“Yogabija '' of the 14th century teaches the three “bandhas” and
“sakthiklanimudra” (stimulating “Saraswatī '') for the purpose of awakening
“Kundalini Shakti”.
Awakening
of “Kundalini Shakti”:
Haṭha
Yoga procedures of the Amaṛthasiddhi, Dathathreyayogasasthra and
Vivekamarthaṇḍa are used to elevate and preserve “bindhu”. This was seen as the
“elixir” of human life that was constantly dripping down from the head and
being lost. This vital essence is also sometimes called the nectar of
immortality (“amrita”). These techniques sought to either physically reverse
this process by inverted postures like “viparithakaraṇi” or use the control of
breath (“Pranayama”) to force bindhu upwards through the central channel.
Gorakṣashataka
and Yogabija explain a yoga based on raising “Kundalini Shakti” through
“sakthikalani mudra”. This is known as the “yoga of dissolution” (Layayoga”)
not as haṭha yoga in the early scripture. However, other early Nath texts like
the Vivekamarthaṇḍa can be seen as absorbing the seals or gestures (“mudras”)
of Haṭha Yoga meant to conserve bindhu. In later Nath texts as well as “saktha
texts, witnessed the adoption of haṭha yoga and focused solely on the raising
of “Kundalini Shakti” without mentioning “bindhu”. The important and
comprehensive text on Hatha Yoga is Haṭhayogapradipika.
Haṭhayogapradipika:
The
Haṭhayogapradipika is one of the most significant and comprehensive texts of
Haṭha yoga. It was compiled by Sage Swatmarama in the 15th century CE from
earlier yoga manuscripts including Sage Patanjali’s “Yoga Sutras” who is known
as father of yoga. Most of earlier scriptures contained philosophy of Non-Dualism
(“Advaita Vedanta'') and this dependence on “non-dualism” facilitated the
growth of Haṭha yoga. In the mediaeval period, dualism became the
"dominant soteriological method" in scholarly religious discourse,
while the dispute between “Vedantic scholars' ' and “Buddhist scholars”
continued for 1000 years. The text cited many great yoga siddhas starting with
Adi Natha, the Hindu God “Shiva '' followed by Sage Matsyendranath, Sage
Patanjali, Sage Yajnavalkya and Sage Gorakhnath. It explained knowledge of six
acts of self-purification process (“shatkarma kriyas”) of the human body , 15
physical postures (“Asanas'') of 15 nos., breath-control (“pranayama”), breath
retention (“kumbhaka pranayama”), Seals or gestures (“mudras”), meditation,
energy centres or plexus (“chakras”), “Kundalini Sakthi”, concentration on
inner sound (it is called “Nadanusandhana”).The text includes the goals of
raising “Bindhu” and raising of “Kundalini Sakthi”.
Scriptures
other than Haṭhayogapradipika include mainly Amaraughashasana,
Yogachintamani, Shivasamhita, Hatha Ratnavali, Hathapradipika
Siddhantamukthavali, Gheranda Samhitha, Jogapradipika, Yoga Tharavali and Siddha Siddhanta Paddhati.
1. Amaraughashasana:
It
is a manuscript of the Haṭha yoga text was copied in 15th century
CE. It is prominent since pieces of this manuscript have also been found in
China. The text debates “khecharimudra” by the name “saranas”. It uses
squatting poses (“Utkatasana ''), rather than the use of seals (“mudras”), for
raising of “Kundalini Shakti”.
2. Yogachintamani:
This
is an early 17th century treatise on the eight aids to yoga. This describe
physical postures (“asanas”) of 34 nos., and modified manuscripts enhance other
postures (“asanas”) of 84 nos. Most of the postures (“asanas”) are practised in
yoga of modern times.
3. Shiva Samhitha:
This
is a 17th-century text of “Shaiva non-dualism” and Srividya Shaktism. It
demonstrates 10 nos. of Locks or Seals (“mudras”) and elucidates the “Srividya
mantra raja” and adopts the “yoni mudra” posture. The goal is the awakening of
the “Kundalini Shakthi”, which penetrates the various chakras and knots as it
rises through the “Sushumna Nadi”, the central channel.
4. Hatha Ratnavali:
It
is a 17th-century CE text that states that Haṭha Yoga comprises of 10 nos. of
seals (“mudras''), 8 nos. of cleansing methods (“shatkarma kriyas”), 9 nos. of
pranayama (breath inhalation or “kumbhaka pranayama”) and of 84 Nos. of
physical postures (“asanas”). The manuscript is also very remarkable for
reducing the inner sound technique called as “Nadhanusandhana”.
5. Hathapradipika Siddhanthamukthavali:
It
is an early 18th-century text, scholars believes that it is an expanded script
on Hathayogapradipikạ by adding practical insights and adaptations from majority
Indian texts on yoga.
6. Gheranda Samhitha:
Gheranda
Samhita was composed in late 17th-century text which is considered as a
reference book on Hatha yoga. It is a manuscript handed over by Sage Gheranda
to his pupil Chanda Kapali. Gheranda Samhita illustrates a seven limb of yoga,
which is not available in any other Hatha yogic texts. The Geranda Samhita
calls itself “Ghatastha Yoga”, which literally means "vessel yoga".
The body and mind are depicted as vessels that carry and serve “Individual Self”
and “Supreme Self”. The text that presents Haṭha yoga as "ghatastha
yoga" which means “vessel yoga”. It offers 6 nos.of cleansing methods
(“Shatkarma kriyas”), 32 nos. of physical postures (“asanas”), 25 nos. of locks
(“mudras”) and of 10 nos. of breath control exercises (“pranayamas”). It is one
of the most comprehensive compilation of texts on Haṭha yoga.
7. Joga Pradipika:
It
is an 18th-century text by Sage Ramanand Jayatharam which presents Haṭha yoga
simply as "yoga". It presents 6 nos. of cleansing methods
(“Shatkarmas kriyas”), 84 nos. of physical postures (“asanas”), 24 nos. of
seals (“mudras”) and 8 nos. of breath inhalation (“kumbhaka pranayama”).
8. Yoga Tharavali:
The
“Yoga Tharavali” is a string of Stars on Yoga, a short yoga text of 29 verses
written by Satya Narayana Sharma Rupenaguntla, covering both haṭha yoga and
raja yoga (the yoga of Sage Patanjali). It mentions the yogic sleep state of
“Samadhi” or “yoganidra”. The script leads up to the teaching that yoga brings
comprehensive transcendence of the body and mind. It is uninterested in gaining
special powers or “siddhis”. Some scholars argue that it was written by Sage
Sankaracharya.
9. Siddha
Siddhanta Paddhati:
Sage
Gorakhnath explains the various levels of phenomenal creation and the
understanding of the human body in a yogic perspective. It describes the
interrelationship of the microcosm and the macrocosm, the subdivision of the
body, and the modes of integration. He also emphasised the values of celibacy,
morality, ethics, character and noble deeds in life.