When you think of yoga what first comes to mind? Many people who haven’t experienced it may think that it’s about stretching and contorting your body into all sorts of positions. Others may be drawn into the western way in which it is promoted, touting it as a way to help you lose weight or get in better shape. Too often the true spirit of yoga is lost when it is packaged as a trend or an exercise program rather than a spiritual, meditative practice. In the west, the word yoga is most commonly associated with Hatha yoga, but this is just one branch of the many schools of yoga such as Karma, Raja, and Kundalini yoga. However, since Hatha is such a well-known form of yoga the focus of this article will be on hatha yoga.
The word yoga means to yoke or unite together, which refers to the aim of uniting the individual spirit with Divinity or universal wisdom.The word Hatha is a combination of two Sanskrit words which, when combined, translates to sun and moon. So essentially Hatha yoga means to yoke together the masculine energy of the sun with the feminine energy of the moon in order to bring more balance in life and greater connection with that which is Divine. In the practice of Hatha yoga, the incorporation of ujjayi breathing and a fluid pattern of movement through various poses or asanas, helps to create a flow of vital energy of prana throughout the body and brings a sense of calm focus to the mind.
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You view it as a exercise or stress relief program. Yoga can help you to achieve a more toned, flexible body and it is also a good way to alleviate tension. But these are just by-products of the true yoga experience.
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You become competitive with others in your yoga practice. Yoga is not about out doing anyone; it is your own, personal journey. Don’t compare yourself to how others or feel that you have to outdo anyone.
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You become rigid or fanatical about practicing your yoga routine. This defeats the purpose of a calm, still and focused mind. It also focuses too much on the ego, rather than the fluid unity of mind, body and spirit.
- You push yourself to the point of pain or injury. According to Patanjali, who compiled the Yoga Sutras, the asana literally means “a posture that brings steadiness and comfort”. Go at your own pace and perform each asana to suit your own physical abilities and limitations.
The moving meditation of Hatha yoga can help to bring unity to your mind, body and spirit. However it is also much more than this, for it is also a deep and meaningul spiritual journey. A journey of learning about the self that exists not only within you but also throughout all of existence, and a journey of bringing calm and balance into your life.
