| More often than not when people say "yoga" they are | | | | longer exist. This process of purification will persist until |
| actually referring to Hatha yoga. It is perhaps the most | | | | the practitioner can see, hear, and feel nothing but the |
| prevalent and commonly practiced type of yoga | | | | purpose of meditating. |
| today. | | | | The Pranayama |
| Hatha represents a school of yoga whose emphasis | | | | Pranayama is equally important in Hatha yoga. It is the |
| lies on the Asana (bodily pose) and the Pranayama | | | | key to controlling the mind. The early yoga masters |
| (controlled breathing). While the proper execution of | | | | made this discovery ages ago, and for a long, long |
| these elements is a goal in itself, in Hatha it is only the | | | | time the practice of controlling one's breathing patterns |
| means by which the physical body is purified. Only then | | | | seemed mystical and unfounded. Well, today scientific |
| can the practitioner begin to pursue a higher, spiritual | | | | studies reveal that special breathing techniques relieve |
| end. Meditation is the ultimate objective. | | | | stress-induced ailments and generally improve |
| The Asana | | | | longevity. |
| There are dozens of Asanas used in Hatha yoga. | | | | Through proper regulation of breathing certain life-giving |
| Some are simple enough for beginners to execute | | | | energies that lie dormant within the body are |
| capably but many are rather difficult. It is not unusual to | | | | stimulated. This explains how Pranayama, if done |
| perform more than ten of these poses in sequence, in | | | | continuously, can significantly add more years to one's |
| a single flow. The lotus posture is probably the most | | | | life expectancy. |
| highly recognizable Asana among Westerners. | | | | Pranayama may appear to be a simple exercise. But |
| To master the Asanas is to empower oneself. These | | | | just like the Asana, it should not be tried without the |
| poses not only build up strength and flexibility, but also | | | | guidance of a qualified yoga instructor. Even the |
| develop mental toughness-stronger will power and | | | | venerable Hindu texts express this stern warning. |
| better concentration skills. As the poses are done | | | | Hatha yoga shows the path to meditation. The journey |
| repeatedly the practitioner learns to relax more and for | | | | is difficult but worth all the time and effort. Even before |
| longer periods of time. | | | | the goal is attained the rewards are already reaped: a |
| It is during this tranquil state that further issues can be | | | | sound body and a mind at peace. Eventually meditation |
| addressed. All distractions are to be removed. All | | | | will become possible. It will happen, and enlightenment |
| sensual perceptions, because they so dominate the | | | | will be within reach. That is priceless. |
| consciousness, are to be withdrawn until they no | | | | |