Raja Yoga is concerned with the cultivation of the mind using meditation techniques (dhyana) as against the Hastha Yoga which is concerned with the physical asanans--postures.
The Raja Yoga mainly focuses on the mind. The mind is the King of the mental and physical structure which does it bidding. Because of the relationship between the mind and the body, the body must be disciplined and purified first.
The King of Yogas--Raja Yoga is seen as potential tool for obtaining the selfless state. This is considerd as a starting point in questioning to clense karma, obtain Moksha and Nirvana.
Raja Yoga aims at controlling the thought waves or mental unstability. This is where Raja Yoga helps and is sometimes referred as "Astanga (eight-limbed)"--the eight aspects helps to find the path one must attain. The eight limbs are:
Yama--Code of Conduct
Niyama--Religious Observance
Asana--Integration of Mind and Body through physical activity
Pranayama--Regulation of Breath leading to integration of mind and body
Pratyahara--Abstraction of the Senses, Withdrawal of the senses
Dharana--Concentration, One-mindedness
Dhyana--Meditation
Samadhi--Quite state of blissful awareness, superconsciousness state
Hatha Yogi starts his sadhana with Asanas--postures using physical activity whereas Raja Yogi starts his sadhan with the mind, although minimal asanas and pranayama are gernally included as a preparation for the meditation and concentration.
We will see the eight limbs of Ashtanga Yoga in the next articles.
Showing posts with label Hatha Yoga. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hatha Yoga. Show all posts
Monday, March 24, 2008
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Hatha Yoga or Hatha Vidya
The word Hatha is a compound of the word "Ha" and "Tha" which means sun and moon respectively, referring to Praana and Apaana, and also the principal nadi--energy channel, of the subtle body that must be fully operational to attain a state of meditation or samadhi.
In Western Countries, Hatha is associated with the word Yoga and is practiced for mental and physical health.
As per the Hindu tradition, Lord Shiva is credited with Hatha Yoga. It is said that on a lonely place, assuming nobody else is around, he gave the knowledge to Goddess Paravathi, but a fish heard the entire discourse. Lord Shiva took mercy on the fish and made him a Siddha, who came to be known as Matsyendranatha.
Hatha Yoga mainly focuses on the physical health and represents opposite energies such as hot and cold, male and female, fire and water, etc. It attempts to balance mind and body via physical exercises called asanas, controlled breathing, and the calming of the mind through relaxation and meditation. More correctly the techniques described in Hatha Yoga harmonise and purify the body systems and focus the mind in preparation for more advanced chakra and kundalini practices.
The Hatha Yoga system includes asana along with the six shatkarmas (physical and mental detox techniques), mudras and bandhas (psycho-physiological energy release techniques) and pranic awakening practices. Fine tuning of the human personality at increasingly subtle levels leads to higher states of awareness and meditation.
In Western Countries, Hatha is associated with the word Yoga and is practiced for mental and physical health.
As per the Hindu tradition, Lord Shiva is credited with Hatha Yoga. It is said that on a lonely place, assuming nobody else is around, he gave the knowledge to Goddess Paravathi, but a fish heard the entire discourse. Lord Shiva took mercy on the fish and made him a Siddha, who came to be known as Matsyendranatha.
Hatha Yoga mainly focuses on the physical health and represents opposite energies such as hot and cold, male and female, fire and water, etc. It attempts to balance mind and body via physical exercises called asanas, controlled breathing, and the calming of the mind through relaxation and meditation. More correctly the techniques described in Hatha Yoga harmonise and purify the body systems and focus the mind in preparation for more advanced chakra and kundalini practices.
The Hatha Yoga system includes asana along with the six shatkarmas (physical and mental detox techniques), mudras and bandhas (psycho-physiological energy release techniques) and pranic awakening practices. Fine tuning of the human personality at increasingly subtle levels leads to higher states of awareness and meditation.
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