Hatha Yoga Pradipika
February 8, 2010 by admin
Filed under Books, Hatha Yoga
Hatha Yoga Pradipika is a Sanskrit manual for hatha yoga written by Swami Svatmarama. It is the oldest text on hatha yoga. It was written in 15th century CE. It is derived from old Sanskrit texts and swami’s own experiences. English translations of this text are also available.
Hatha yoga pradipika consists of four chapters which contain information about asana, pranayama, chakras, kundalini, bandhas, kriyas, Shakti, nadis and mudras. It is dedicated to lord adinatha (a name for lord Shiva – lord of destruction).
FAILURE IN YOGA results due to 6 reasons – over eating, exertion, talkativeness, talkativeness, eating at night, company of men, unsteadiness.
SUCESS IN YOGA results due to courage, daring, perseverance, discriminative knowledge, faith, aloofness from company.
ASANAS –
- PADMASANA – Place the left foot on right thigh and right foot on left thigh. Place your hands on respective knees with the spine head being in straight line. This asana is destroyer of all diseases.
- SIMHASANA – sit on your toes with both knees on the floor. Keep your hands on respective thighs with fingers wide open. Keep your mouth open.
There are many asanas like these. If one practises with concentration and dedication one can attain success within a year.
PRANAYAMA –
Pranayama is breathing exercise which eradicates all the diseases. It makes the skin and face glow. It reduces fat extensively. One example is kapalabhati pranayama (kapal – forehead, bhati – shine). As the name says, it brings a glow to your face. It is done in a sitting posture. METHOD – Sit straight on a mat. Focus on “exhaling”. Inhaling happens normally and automatically. EXHALE PROCESS- throws out the air from nose with a force that your stomach goes in. Keep repeating this and inhaling will happen automatically. Exhale as long as you can. It can be done for 5 minutes. As you exhale, the abdominal muscles contract.
Thus hatha yoga pradipika is a complete manual on yoga through which one can attain physical and mental stability. You can find the book here.