| Hatha Yoga can be described as the yoga, which | | | | spine, to travel up the spine and out of the head's |
| brings about the union of opposing forces. This is | | | | Sahasrara Chakra, thereby elevating the spirit of the |
| inherent in the name of this branch of yoga, since "ha" | | | | practitioner to bring him closer to Cosmic |
| means sun and "tha" means moon. It is the form of | | | | Consciousness. Equally important in this process is |
| yoga best known in the West and is very suitable for | | | | pranayama, control of the breath. This, likewise, helps |
| persons who are physically oriented. One of the nice | | | | to purify the body, to make faster spiritual progress |
| things about yoga is that there are six main kinds, each | | | | and, indeed, while doing asanas, the yogi is supposed |
| suited to a different temperament. In addition to Hatha | | | | to focus on the breath, making it conscious breathing. |
| Yoga, there is Raja Yoga, the yoga of meditation, | | | | The postures also have an important effect on |
| which is best suited to persons of a contemplative | | | | meditation. While doing meditation, the aspirant needs |
| nature, Karma Yoga, the yoga of selfless service, best | | | | to have a posture, which he can hold for a significant |
| suited to those who are attuned to the idea of serving | | | | period of time. Asanas help with this. The more |
| humanity, Jnana Yoga, the yoga of knowledge, best | | | | postures an aspirant can hold for periods of time, the |
| suited to those who are intellectual and enjoy using | | | | better his meditative experiences. In addition, asanas |
| their minds, Tantra Yoga, the yoga of ceremonies, | | | | help with the development of inner meditation |
| which persons who like formal situations would find | | | | techniques. Another purpose of asanas is to bring |
| appealing and Bhakti Yoga, the yoga of love, for those | | | | health and vitality to the body through the opening of |
| who wish to adore the Divine and reach towards it | | | | nadis. |
| through their hearts. | | | | Pranayama, which is breath control, is beneficial, in that |
| The two most important aspects of Hatha Yoga are | | | | if one can master the breath, mastery of the mind is |
| the postures, or asanas and breath control, or | | | | not far off. Pranayama also enhances the flow of |
| pranayama. The postures help to keep the body | | | | prana, the life force, which is a vital part of the yogic |
| flexible, but, most importantly, they help to purify the | | | | experience. That energy is needed in the more |
| body and make spiritual progress faster and more | | | | advanced aspects of Hatha Yoga, which eventually |
| successful. The most important element in fostering | | | | lead to Samadhi, or Cosmic Consciousness. One |
| spiritual progress is the opening of the chakras, energy | | | | aspect of Pranayama is breathing techniques, which |
| centers along the spine, which allow spiritual energy or | | | | alternate the use of the nostrils. This helps to bring |
| Kundalini, resident in latent form at the base of the | | | | balance to the two hemispheres of the brain. |