The term ‘yoga’ is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Yuj,’ which stands for yoke or bind. Often it is interpreted as “a union” or a whole set of disciplines. If you are a male who practices yoga, you’ll be called a yogi. On the other hand, any female practitioner is termed as a yogini. There are different types of yoga. If you wish to become a hatha yoga teacher, consider enrolling yourself in the Rishikesh yoga teacher training center.
All about the Yoga Sutra
It is believed that about 2000 years ago, Patanjali, an Indian sage, had collected all the practices of yoga and combined them into the Yoga Sutra. The Yoga Sutra, for the uninitiated, is a collection of 195 yogic statements. These statements serve as the philosophical guidebook for the majority of the yoga that is practised today. The Sutra outlines yoga’s eight limbs. They are mentioned as follows:
● Yamas (restraints),
● Niyamas (observances),
● Asana (postures),
● Pranayama (breathing),
● Pratyahara (withdrawal of senses),
● Dharana (concentration),
● Dhyani (meditation), and
● Samadhi (absorption)
To understand the broader concept of yoga as a whole, we must understand these eight limbs. It is through these limbs that we can refine our outer world behaviour. Once that is accomplished, we would slowly focus on our inner world until the time we reach samadhi or liberation or enlightenment.
What is Hatha Yoga?
‘Hatha’ is a Sanskrit word, which means forceful or willful. Hatha yoga, as a whole, refers to a set of physical exercises, also known as postures or asanas. When the asanas are designed in sequences, it helps in aligning the state of your skin, bones, and muscles. These postures are known for opening the many channels of our body. In this matter, we must first understand which is the main channel of our body. Well, it is our spine. When the spine’s posture is maintained, it helps in the free flow of energy inside our body.
Hatha is often also translated as the “sun” and “moon.” Here, Ha refers to the Sun, while Tha refers to the Moon. Therefore, together, it means the balancing of the masculine and feminine aspects of a human being. In this way, masculine aspects include being active and warn, like the hot sun. On the other hand, the feminine aspects of the personality are denoted by the receptive and cold behavior of the Moon. All of us possess all these qualities. It is only through discipline, practice, and a gentle reminder to the mind, we can maintain their balance. Hatha yoga is considered the path that balances and unites the opposite forces. With hatha yoga, we develop harmony between flexibility and strength. The same goes for the mind. Through hatha yoga, one can understand the important laws of balancing their effort, while surrendering themselves in each asana.
When it comes to self-transformation, Hatha yoga is one of the most powerful tools known to mankind. It demands from us the ability to pay attention to our breath, which in turn helps to prevent the mind’s fluctuations and be more present in each moment. The Rishikesh yoga teacher training center can teach you all of these. And soon, you can master the art to become an independent yoga teacher.
Om: The Power
In Hatha Yoga and many other types of yoga, you must practice certain things. The sound ‘Om’ is one of those major elements of the yogic study. Those who think Om is a mantra; it is not quite one. Instead, it can be more elaborately described as a vibration. All yoga sessions must start and end with the om sound. It is also considered to be the sound of the universe. Wait a minute! How can we claim that Om is the universe’s sound?
Understanding the Ancient Yogic discipline
Interestingly, the ancient yogis had already described what scientists are discovering today. It is mystical how could the yogis in the past knew things about the universe just through meditation. In the Vedas, yogis mentioned the constant expansion and movement of the universe. While doing so, the universe creates a rhythmic vibration. This vibration resembles the sound created while chanting Om. This sound is universal and can be felt in the rustling of the autumn leaves, inside of a seashell, as well as the waves on the shore. Chanting Om helps us recognize the reflection of the movement of the whole universe. And this sound is one of the most important elements of yogic life.
So are you ready to surrender yourself to the life of a yogi for a few weeks? The yoga TTC Rishikesh helps you get a glimpse of hatha yoga and its practice. Consider enrolling in the weekly courses of Rishikesh Yogpeeth and explore your inner self like never before.
