05/02/2024
What is Hatha yoga?
When we think about yoga an image might come to mind of an individual sitting in blissful meditation, the pinnacle of yoga practice, which is called “Samadhi” (this means liberation, realisation of the truth of reality, dissolution into the oneness of being etc etc…)
However, although this may be the ideal conception of yoga it is not Hatha yoga. It is called Raja yoga, or, the yoga of the kings/queens. Sitting quietly controlling the volatile fluctuations of the mind, with the inner vision of the mind, until the fluctuations cease and Samadhi is attained is both the practice and the goal of Raja yoga.
What about the ordinary human? How is it possible for the common person to sit still for hours, comfortably on the floor, let alone be able to control the mind from its constant thinking? You are welcome to try it and see how that goes for you. To our rescue comes Hatha yoga, a series of postures that require balance, flexibility and strength all relating to the control of the physical body as opposed to the mind in Raja yoga.
The postures are called Asanas and, just like Raja yoga, the goal is Samadhi but it is achieved by complete focus on the physical movements, postures and the flow of breathing. The mind is for all intents and purposes ignored and its incessant wandering and meandering is overcome!
