HISTORY OF HATHA YOGA

Thus, traditional Hatha Yoga, Therapeutic Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga, Bikram, Kripalu, Power Yoga, Vinyasa Flow, Yin Yoga, Sivananda Yoga, Amrit Yoga, Iyengar Yoga, and a plethora of other systems are absent.

Hatha Yoga evolved from Tantra Yoga in the history of Yoga. Tantrics centered the practices that lead to Hatha Yoga on the body to achieve enlightenment and develop physical-spiritual connections.

Hatha Yoga, on the other hand, is solely concerned with transforming the physical body through purifying and cultivating the vital energy of prana. And all Hatha Yoga techniques are regarded as the first steps toward achieving the deeper states of meditation and enlightenment found on the Raja Yoga path (meditation).

The Hatha Yoga Pradipika is the most widely used text on the ancient physical practices of Hatha Yoga. Swami Swatamarama wrote this book in the 15th century, based on ancient Sanskrit texts and Swatamarama’s own yoga experiences.

The primary goal of this text is to illuminate Hatha Yoga’s physical disciplines and practices, as well as their integration with Raja Yoga’s higher spiritual goals.

Swatamarama begins by explaining the relationship between Hatha Yoga and Raja Yoga, stating that Hatha is a prerequisite for Raja Yoga.

He claims that gaining self-control and self-discipline is much easier when we begin with the physical and energetic body, as opposed to Raja Yoga, which tries to control us directly from the mind.

Hatha Yoga did not become popular and widespread in India until the 1920s, thanks to the efforts of T. Krishnamacharya and a few other determined and brave yogis. Krishnamacharya traveled throughout India demonstrating yoga poses alongside other pioneering yogis (his closest disciples included Sri Pattabhi Jois and Sri Iyengar), promoting Hatha Yoga as good medicine and a potential cure for ailments. Many Western and Indian teachers have since become trailblazers in popularizing Hatha Yoga and gaining millions of followers.

Hatha yoga is a traditional practice that aims to unite the body and mind in the present moment. It is an excellent practice for achieving a state of calm and concentration. Yoga has evolved and divided into various streams since its inception in India. Hatha yoga, which combines physical effort and meditation, is one of the most popular disciplines in the world.

“Ha” means “sun,” and “tha” means “moon” in Hatha Yoga. As a result, it is a yoga of opposites and balance. It gives us strength and lightness; it combines expansion and recollection; it gives us energy and calms us. Most modern yoga styles, such as vinyasa, Anusara, and ashtanga, have their roots in Hatha Yoga. It is the most traditional and pure discipline of them all. As a result, when beginning to practice Yoga, it is best, to begin with, Hatha to lay the groundwork.