- Hatha means any tenacious practice until the object or purpose is achieved. “Ha” and “tha” signify the union of the Sun and Moon, union of Prana and Apana Vayus.
- Hatha Yoga cares about the body and Prana. It helps to control the body and Prana, through Asanas and Pranayama.
- Hatha Yoga itself is not the goal. Meditation helps you attain Samadhi or the Superconscious State.
- The practice of Hatha Yoga awakens the Kundalini Sakti that remains latent in the Muladhara Chakra.
- There are six chakras or lotuses in the body. They are Muladhara (near the anus), Svadhisthana (halfway between Muladhara and Manipura which is in the navel). Anahata Chakra in the heart, Vishuddha in the neck and Ajna in the space between the two eyebrows and Sahasrara or the lotus of a thousand petals (Chakra) in the crown of the head.
- Sushumna rises through all the Chakras. Kundalini passes through the Chakras and unites with Lord Siva in the Sahasrara.
- Learn the Asanas, Pranayama, Bandhas, Mudras and Shad Kriyas under the expert Hatha Yogi.
- Ida, Pingala and Sushumna are the three important Nadis in the body.
- Ida is the Chandra-Nadi. It cools the body. It flows through the left nostril.
- Pingala is the Surya-Nadi. Heat the body. It flows through the right nostril.
- Sushumna Nadi flows through both nostrils. It helps meditation. It’s Agni-Nadi.
- Get good health through the practice of Yoga Asanas and Pranayama. Without good health, how can you win, how can you succeed in any company, how can you sit and meditate?
- Practice yoga Asanas and Pranayama on an empty stomach in the early morning.
- Be moderate in eating and sleeping. Then you can only succeed in Hatha Yoga.
- Be regular in your practice. Regularity is of the utmost importance.
- Drink a glass of milk after finishing the Asanas.
- Wait half an hour after finishing Asanas to take a bath.
- Do Asanas first and then practice Pranayama.
- Spend half an hour daily in the practice of Asanas and Pranayama. This will give you health, vim, vigor and vitality. This will eliminate all diseases.
- Dhauti (cleaning the stomach with a piece of cloth), Basti (extraction of water through the anus), Neti (cleaning of the nostrils with the aid of a thread), Nauli (manipulation of the abdominal muscles), Trataka Un Object), Kapalabhati (a species of Pranayama) – are the Shad Kriyas of Hatha Yoga.
- Sirshasana is the king of all Asanas. It strengthens the brain and brain-centers and improves memory, and helps Brahmacharya.
- Sarvanga, Hala and Ardhamatsyendra Asanas make the spine elastic. Sarvanga develops the thyroid gland and provides good health. It helps Brahmacharya and gives it longevity.
- Paschimottanasana reduces fat and helps digestion. The same thing happens with Mayurasana.
- Bhujanga, Salabha and Dhanur Asanas eliminate constipation and muscular rheumatism of the back.
- Relax all muscles through Savasana. Do this Asana at the end.
- Ujjayi, Sitkari, Sukha-Purvaka, Suryabheda are other classes of Pranayama. Through the practice of these results Kevala-Kumbhaka Pranayamas.
- Puraka is the inhalation of breath; Rechaka is exhalation; Kumbhaka is retention. Kumbhaka gives you longevity and energy.
- Sitali Pranayama refreshes your body and purifies the blood. Bhastrika heats the body and eliminates asthma and consumption.
- Practice Bhandatraya Pranayama. Includes Mula-Bandha or contraction of the anus, Jalandara-Bandha or Chin-lock and Uddiyana-Bandha, drawing the belly back at the end of the exhalation.
- Maha Mudra is an important Mudra. This eliminates piles, enlargement of the spleen, indigestion, constipation.
- Practice Yoga-Mudra daily. This is a good exercise for the abdominal organs.
