Add & Subtract - Hatha Yoga

Today's theme is Hatha Yoga

ADD SPIRITUAL FOCUS

The word yoga means ‘to unite’ or ’to yoke’ (joining two animals together with a crossbar). It is a spiritual practice dating back at least 2500 years, designed to connect and unify a person’s human and spiritual natures.

Most people think of yoga as only the pretzel contortions of Hatha asanas. But this physical aspect is only the third of Patanjali’s eight limbs or steps of yoga:

• Yama - Ethical behaviours, integrity
• Niyama - Self-discipline, spiritual observances
• Asana - Physical practice (Hatha yoga)
• Pranayama - Breath control
• Pratyahara - Sense withdrawal
• Dharana - Concentration
• Dhyana - Contemplation
• Samadhi - State of ecstasy

Teachers Andrew Harvey and Karen Erikson:
“Yoga was created by the ancient sages of India to be a healing and transforming gift for the entire world. It was intended to help everybody become embodied channels of illumined love, grace and peace, and so, instruments of divine creativity and service in the world.
When yoga is practiced with conscious knowledge of its vast original purpose, and in union with simple, luminous, and profound meditations, it awakens this joyful praise of existence in every cell of the body”
Source: Heart Yoga: The Scared Marriage of Yoga and Mysticism

SUBTRACT BODY FOCUS

Our Western, materialist culture tends to focus on the physical. As yoga grew in popularity here, the spiritual aspect was often lost behind all those healthy, flexible bodies in tight-fitting organic cotton! Yoga’s original intention forgotten in the incense and Deva Premal soundtrack!

By putting asana back in context - as preparation of the body for meditation - we can climb all the limbs of the yoga tree.

The health benefits of hatha yoga for the body and mind are excellent. However, combined with the other steps, yoga practice can help us remember our greater Self and reunite with our very Source.

Yogi Ramacharaka on the deeper use and benefits of hatha yoga:
“If one wishes to make the most of his physical life - to have as perfect an instrument as may be for the expression of the Spirit - let him live all the way through in that trust and confidence in the spiritual part of his nature.

Let him realise that the Spirit within him is a spark from the Divine Flame - a drop from the Ocean of Spirit - a ray from the Central Sun…

If we can but grasp the faintest idea of what this means, we will open ourselves up to such an influx of Life and vitality that our bodies will be practically made over and will manifest perfectly”
Source: Hatha Yoga: The Yogi Philosophy of Physical Well-Being

 Hope this inspires you to get on the mat in a new way. If you have any feedback, comments or questions, feel free to get in touch.