Hatha Yoga is a form of Raja Yoga - during the time around 200 BC a sage called Patanjali compiled the Raja Yoga Sutras, otherwise known as Patanjali's Eightfold Path or the Eight Limbs of Classical Raja Yoga. Patanjali, along with other Yogis, studied his own thoughts and the many obstacles that prevent us from bringing the mind under conscious control, these findings are written in the Sutra's as a kind of 'guide' that help others to overcome these obstacles in order to control the restless mind and enjoy lasting peace.
Modern and certainly Western Hatha Yoga often focuses mainly on Asana and Pranayama, however without awareness of and the will to follow the other Raja Yoga steps, one is not practicing true Yoga.
Yamas - Codes or conduct and self restraint - of which there are 5 key parts:
- Ahimsa (non-violence)
- Satya (truthfulness)
- Asteya (non-stealing)
- Brahmacharya (control of sexual energy)
- Aparigraha (non-attachment)
Niyamas - Committment to practice and observanced - of which there are 5 key parts:
- Shaucha (internal and external purity)
- Santosha (contentment)
- Tapas (discipline)
- Svadhyaya (self study to allow growth)
- Ishvarapranidhana (surrender of the ego)
Asanas - The practice of Asana (Yoga postures) affects the following aspects of the human being:
- Physical (blood circulation, inner organs, glands, muscles, joints and nerve system)
- Psychological (developing emotional balance and stability, harmony)
- Mental (improved ability to concentrate, memory)
- Consciousness (purifying and clarifying consciousness and awareness)
The purpose is not to achieve the perfect posture, but to rid the body and mind of blockages to allow us to awaken the subtle energies of the body (prana, kundalini) and transcend the body's limitations thus encouraging a freedom to live a richer fuller life.
Pranayama - Breathing practices. Yama (a control) and Prana (life force energy), thus Pranayama aims to purify and channel the life force energy in and around the physical and ethereal bodies through different techniques using the breath as a vehicle.
Pratyahara - Withdrawl of the senses. Bringing awareness to reside deep within oneself, free from the senses of the external world.
Dhrana - Concentration. Clearning the mind of all distractions and conditioning the mind to focus on one thought. Balancing asanas are wonderful training for Dhrana.
Dhyana - Meditation. A quietening of the mind and connecting to the source in the language of your own heart. Through practice of these steps leading upto and including Dhyana one can find peace of mind and serenity.
Samadhi - Absorption, ecstasy and blissfulness. Samadhi is the ultimate goal for any Yogi where enlightenment is attained.