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YOGA & ME MED DITA ITATIO TION
SADHGURU
SOCI CIAL AL IM IMP PACT
Hatha Yoga Y oga Guide: Science, Benefits nefits and and Insights Insights 09 Apr 2015 PRE VIO US ART IC LE DEMYSTIFYIN DEMYS TIFYING G YOGA
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In I n this com prehensive guide guide to the th e fundamentals of hatha yoga, yogi yo gi and and mystic Sad mystic Sadhguru hguru introduces introduces us to this phenomenal science. I n a series of articles,, he corrects many misunderstandings about articles the process and explores how we can reap the maximum benefits hatha yoga has to offer.
Sadhguru: When Sadhguru: When y ou experience everything as oneness in your consciousness, then you are in yoga yoga.. To attain attain that unity w ithi ithin n you, there are many way s.
then to the mind, then to the inner self. Like this, many steps have been created, but they are only different facets of yoga. It is important that all of them are addressed in a very balanced way, all at once, as one single unit. There is really no division as such; yoga employs all aspects of who y ou are.
The body is a very large part of who you are right now. The science of using the body to hasten your evolutionary process is hatha yoga. The body itself has its own attitudes, its own ego, its own nature. Let us say you decided, “Starting tomorrow, I will get up at five in the morning and go for a walk.” You set the alarm. The alarm rings. You want to get up, but your body says, “Shut up and sleep.” I t has its own w ay, doesn’t it? Hatha yoga is a way of working with the body, a w ay of disciplining, purifying and preparing the body for higher levels of energy and possibilities.
The Science of Hatha Yoga Hatha yoga is not exercise. Understanding the mechanics of the body, creating a certain atmosphere,
specific directions is what hatha yoga or yogasanas are about. “Asana” means a “posture.” That kind of posture which allows you to reach your higher nature is a yogasana. There are other dimensions to this, but to put it in the simplest way, just by observing the way someone is sitting, you can almost know what is happening w ith him, if you have known him long enough. If you hav e observed yourself, when you are angry, you sit one way ; if you are happy, you sit another way; if you are depressed, you sit another way. For every different level of consciousness or mental and emotional situation that you go through, your body naturally tends to assume certain postures. The converse of this is the science of asanas. If you consciously get your body into different postures, you can elevate your consciousness.
The body can become a means for your spiritual growth or it can become a major barrier. Suppose some part of our bod – our hand
Dedicating a certain amount of
leg or back, for instance – is hurting. When it is hurting badly it is hard to aspire for anything higher because that becomes the biggest thing. Right now if you have a backache, the biggest thing in the
effort and time to see that the body does not become a barrier is important.
universe is your backache. Other people may not understand that, but for the person who is going through it, that is the biggest thing. Even if God appears you will ask for your backache to go! You will not ask for anything else because the physical body has such a power over you. If it is not functioning well, it can take aw ay all other aspirations from your life. Whatever you m ay fancy, all your longings just disappear once the body starts hurting – because to look beyond that takes an enormous amount of strength, which most people do not possess.
There are thousands of people who have come out of
spinal problems by doing simple asanas. Doctors had told them they would definitely have to go through a surgery, but they never had to. Y our back can be restored to such an excellent condition that you will never need to go to a chiropractor. It is not only your spine that becomes flexible; you also become flexible. Once you are flexible, you are willing to listen, not just to someone’s talk; you are willing to listen to life. Learning to listen is the essence of a sensible life.
Dedicating a certain amount of effort and time to see that the body does not become a barrier is important. A painful body can become a major obstacle, and so can a compulsive body. Simple compulsions, whether they are about the body wanting to relieve itself or of lust, can rule you so strongly that they will not allow you to look beyond; the physical body becomes a major entity. Body is only a part of you; it should not become the w hole of you. Asanas level the body down to its natural place.
Hatha Yoga Prepares the Body
move into deeper dimensions of meditation, is that it allows for a higher possibility of energy. If you want your energies to surge upwa rds, it is very important that the pipeline of the body is conducive. If it is blocked, it will not work, or else, something w ill burst. Preparing the body sufficiently before one g oes into more intense forms of meditation is very important. Hatha yoga ensures that the body takes it gently and joyfully.
For a lot of people, spiritual growth happens very painfully because the necessary preparation does not happen. Most human beings have unfortunately let themselves live in a condition where the external situations mold them and direct them. Whether it is wisdom of
Hatha yoga does not mean twisting your body, standing on your head, or holding your breath.
possibilities, they get the point only when they are knocked around by life. Even then, only some become wise; others become w ounded. It is this possibility of transforming a potential wound into a source of wisdom that leads one to a state of freedom. If one has put in the necessary preparation, it can be a very pleasant and wonderful experience of grow th. But for a majority of the people in the world, growth happens painfully; very few people grow blissfully. It is becoming a norm in the world that growth must be painful. It can be done blissfully, but because both the body and mind have not been prepared, all cha nge happens painfully. So, asanas prepare you for growth and transformation by equipping you with a solid foundation.
Today, the hatha yoga that people are learning is not in its classical form, not in its full depth and dimension. Largely the “studio yoga” that you are seeing today is unfortunately just the physical aspect of it. Just teaching the physical aspect of yoga is like having a stillborn baby. That is not only no good, it is
a tragedy. If you want a live process, it needs to be taught in a certain way.
Hatha yoga does not mean twisting your body, standing on your head, or holding your breath. There was a time when I was personally teaching hatha yoga as a two-day program. People would burst with joy; tears of ecstasy would flow simply doing asanas. That is the way yoga needs to be done. Unfortunately, the hatha yoga in the world today brings peace for some, is healthful for others is and a painful circus for many.
Most yogis just use the simple postures to break the limitations of who they are. That is all I learned when I was eleven years of age – just a few simple postures. It is just the way it is done that makes the difference.
Hatha Yoga Guide The Basics An Introduction to the Origin of Yoga
Sadhguru tells the story of Shiva, the first yogi and guru, and how he transmitted yoga to his first seven disciples, the Saptarishis.
The Guru-Shishya Paramparya Sadhguru looks at the importance of the Guru-shishya or Master-disciple relationship, and how it has continued unbroken to the present day. The Science of Hatha Yoga Sadhguru explains that Hatha Yoga is not a physical exercise system but a phenomenal process to prepare the body for greater possibilities.
Asanas and Surya Namaskar Surya Namaskar – How It Really Works For and Benefits You Sadhguru looks at how Surya Namaskar is a powerful yogic process, and gives a few tips on reaping the maximum benefits from your practice.
Surya Kriya and Surya Shakti
two little known “siblings” of Surya Namaskar, that offer different benefits.
Surya Kriya – Living Without Friction Surya Kriya is much more involved and powerful “sibling” of Surya Namaskar. Sadhguru explains how it can help us create a life free from friction.
Yoga Asanas – Align With the Divine Sadhguru looks at how an asana is a dynamic form of meditation, and not some impressive gymnastic maneouvre.
Why Y ogic Practices are Often Done in Sets of Three Sadhguru explains the science behind why “3” is such a significant number for yogic practices, and why many asanas are performed in sets of three.
Things You Should NOT Do Why Y ou Shouldn’t Speak During Asanas Sadhguru explains why speaking while in your asana
not only disturbs the practice but can also cause great harm to your system.
Why Y ou Shouldn’t Drink Water While Practicing Yoga Sadhguru looks at how asanas can generate “ushna” or heat in the body, and drinking water during asanas could cause damage to the system.
Why An Empty Stomach is Essential for Practice Sadhguru looks at how doing yoga with food in the stomach can inhibit your practice and the upward flow of energies.
Deepening Your Practice Classical Yoga: The Right Conditions Sadhguru looks at how we can establish the right conditions to begin and continue our practice – from showers, frequency of practice to using mirrors.
What Kind of Clothes Should You Wear For
Yoga? Sadhguru looks at how organic clothing can make a phenomenal difference in one’s practice and experience.
Flexibility During Asanas We look at w hat causes inflexibility in the body, and what w e can do to reduce this rigidity in body and mind.
The Sequence of the Asanas Sadhguru looks at how the sequence of asanas thought in the Isha Hatha School of Yoga arises from a close observation of how the human system functions.
Sitting Still – Settling the Mind and Body Sadhguru looks at what it takes to sit utterly still, and how modern society is culturing human minds in a completely wrong way .
Supporting Y our Practices
The Benefits and Uses of Neem, the “Wonder Leaf” The neem leaf has several medicinal benefits and uses and is a versatile natural compound. Sadhguru looks at how it is good for health as well as useful for those in yogic sadhana.
Four Remarkable Health Benefits of Turmeric Turmeric is another very beneficial natural product that can be very supportive for one’s health and also in one’s sadhana.
How Is Honey Good For You – A Yogic Perspective Sadhguru looks at the many uses of honey, and the best ways in which to consume it.
Foods to Avoid We look at a few comm on foods that ma y not be suitable for good health and offer a few alternatives to these.
5 Tips For Healthy Eating
Sadhguru looks at how it’s not just about what we eat but also how we eat.
Isha Hatha Y oga Practices Angamardana – Mastering Your Limbs Angam ardana is a a unique system of yoga offered at Isha that strengthens both the physical and energy system.
Upayoga – Understanding Your Body Upayoga or “sub”-yoga is an introductory system that activates the body, mind and energies, allowing one to live a full-fledged life.
Learning in the Right Ambience Sadhguru speaks about how learning hatha yoga in the right space can have enormous benefits, and can be a great support in one’s journey.
21-Week Hatha Yoga Teacher T raining: A Week-by-Week Journey We follow the trainees through their 21-week Isha
Hatha Yoga Teacher Training, and explore how their lives and perspectives on yoga have changed through the program.
21-Day Isha Hatha Yoga Program Participants of the intensive 21-day Isha Hatha Yoga program share their experiences.
Editor’s Note: Isha
Hatha Yoga offers a 4-day as
well as a 21-day intensive hatha yoga program at the Isha Yoga Center. I ndividual hatha yoga modules are also taught by teachers across the world. Find a teacher near you.
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Comments
Rajesh
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Beautiful infor mation - wanna make use of it. •
montesmira
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Magnifica información. Muchas Gracias. Love •
Iswari S
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Isha Hata Yoga knocks down barriers on all planes: physical, m ought to be. I wish Yoga this way all over the world. Was shock when I hear d of "Yoga" done with partners, I could feel how Sad
Yogi's Yoga to the world. With the installation and consecration know Him, but also will reinforce the truth that Yoga can't be su practitioners from true well-being(https://www.ishashoppe.com •
Megh
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Look what I found... there is one song in vairagya cd which is ti •
Ranjani
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Namaskarams Sadhguru. Why this delay for my next step mas incapable of anything without your grace...help!! •
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Bharati Sha rma-Grzegorzewska
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Please advise how to get this book if I live outside the India....? I •
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kuku
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please mail address we can buy and send u •
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Yadhu
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Download the ebook •
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Bharati Sha rma-Grzegorzewska
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Fiona Fernandes
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This book is not available outside India how sad! •
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Janarthanam Ramalingam
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cant wait to read this book! •
Mani
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Is there something called Pilli Sooniya ? Hw can it be prevented some ration controls others mind n physical behaviour, Hw can •
Mag Ghee
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When will this book be available outside India - for me, as a do •
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shasi
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e-book is available in ishadownloads.com •
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Fiona Fernandes
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Not available outside india! •
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Isis
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Hello ! Why it is not available outside of india ? :( •
vs
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They're releasing a global edition soon it Singapore. •
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This comm ent was deleted.
krishna
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Mr.subash,breathe less times per min increases the life •
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ceekaykay
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Sportsmen/athletes who enjoy better health than "norm rates. There is a big difference between the terms "nor won't appeal to so called normal minds. •
Subhash
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It is about 'breaths' not 'pulse rate' stupid; and h
Sridhar Aravamudhu
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Same to you Subhash. cleanup urself.. •
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