Yogini by a Stream (1605-40)
12. The Yogi should practice Hatha Yoga in a small room, situated in a solitary place, being 4 cubits square, and free from stones, fire, water, disturbances of all kinds, and in a country where justice is properly administered, where good people live, and food can be obtained easily and plentifully.13. The room should have a small door, be free from holes, hollows, neither too high nor too low, well plastered with cow-dung and free from dirt, filth and insects. On its outside there should be bowers, raised platform (chabootra), a well, and a compound. These characteristics of a room for Hatha Yogis have been described by adepts in the practice of Hatha.
14. Having seated in such a room and free from all anxieties, he should practice Yoga, as instructed by his guru. — Haṭha Yoga Pradīpikā
Recently I was talking with a yoga therapist about her work, and I asked what type of yoga she used in her work. She replied “classic hatha yoga.” Because I was taken off guard, I’m afraid I didn’t handle that very diplomatically. I told her that there really wasn’t such a thing, unless she was teaching yoga from the 15th century. She looked taken aback for a moment, and then said, well, yoga from the Himalayan Institute (Swami Rama).
I forget sometimes that not everyone had the same training in yoga history that I did (thank you, Donald). And very few people have actually read the Haṭha Yoga Pradīpikā, the classic Sanskrit manual on hatha yoga written by Svāmi Svātmārāma, a disciple of Swami Groakhnath, in the fifteenth centruy. Although on our blog, we have generally referred to the Bhagavad Gita and the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali as the most important scriptures, it is definitely worth taking a look at the Haṭha Yoga Pradīpikā as well as you may be quite surprised. This is because there are quite a number of myths about yoga circulating in the yoga community, and despite there being quite a bit of information available about the history of yoga (not to mention original scriptures), the myths continue to be propagated.So I thought that today I’d introduce this short book to you and describe a bit of what’s in it. There are only four chapters.The first chapter does focus on asana, saying, “Being the first accessory of Hatha Yoga, asana is described first. It should be practiced for gaining steady posture, health and lightness of body.” However, only 15 poses are named and described in the book. The first eleven are described only briefly: Svastikasana (auspicious posture), Gomukhasana (cow face posture, legs), Virasana (hero posture), Kurmasana (tortoise posture), Kukkutasana (cock posture), Uttana karmasana (intense tortoise posture), Dhanurasana (bow posture), Matsyasana (fish posture), Paschimottanasana (intense west side stretch posture), Mayurasana (peacock posture), and Savasana (corpse posture).
The scripture goes on to say: “Shiva taught 84 asanas. Of these the first four being essential ones.”
The essential poses, which are described in detail, are: Siddhasana (Perfect posture), Padmasana (Lotus posture), Simhasana (Lion posture), and Bhadrasana (fortunate posture).
It is interesting to notice that there is to mention of any standing poses or Headstand/Shoulderstand. Savasana is there, however! If you’d like to learn more about more of what “original” yoga was like, see Richard Rosen’s wonderful book Original Yoga. Richard has even provided a sequence of original yoga poses here: original-yoga-full-sequence.html.
The second chapter discusses cleansing practices, prana, and breath control (pranayama).
1. Posture becoming established, a Yogi, master of himself, eating salutary and moderate food, should practice pranayama, as instructed by his guru.
2. Respiration being disturbed, the mind becomes disturbed. By restraining respiration, the Yogi gets steadiness of mind.
3. So long as the (breathing) air stays in the body, it is called life. Death consists in the passing out of the (breathing) air. It is, therefore, necessary to restrain the breath.
4. The breath does not pass through the middle channel (susumna), owing to the impurities of the nadis. How can then success be attained, and how can there be the unmani avastha.
5. When the whole system of the nadis which is full of impurities, is cleaned, then the Yogi becomes able to control the Prana.
6. Therefore, Pranayama should be performed daily with satwika buddhi (intellect free from raja and tama or activity and sloth), in order to drive out the impurities of the susumna.
The third chapter discusses subtle physiology and techniques, such as the seals (mudra) and locks (bandha), by which the kundalini can be awakened. 1. As the chief of the snakes is the support of the earth with all the mountains and forests on it, so all the Tantras (Yoga practices) rest on the Kundalini. (The Vertebral column.)
2. When the sleeping Kundalini awakens by favor of a guru, then all the lotuses (in the six chakras or centers) and all the knots are pierced through.
3. Susumna (Sunya Padavi) becomes a main road for the passage of Prana, and the mind then becomes free from all connections (with its objects of enjoyments) and Death is then evaded.
4. Susumna, Sunya, Padavi, Brahma Randhra, Maha Patha, Smasana, Sambhavi, Madhya Marga, are names of one and the same thing.
5. In order, therefore, to awaken this goddess, who is sleeping at the entrance of Brahma Dwara (the great door), mudras should be practiced well.
The concluding chapter deals with the higher stages of yogic practice.
1. Salutation to the Guru, the dispenser of happiness to all, appearing as Nada, Vindu and Kali. One who is devoted to him, obtains the highest bliss.
2. Now I will describe a regular method of attaining to Samadhi, which destroys death, is the means for obtaining happiness, and gives the Brahmananda.
The text quite short, and you can find a translation of the complete text at hatha-yoga-pradipika.htm. How about you? Have you read this book? And what did you think of it?Subscribe to Yoga for Healthy Aging by Email ° Follow Yoga for Healthy Aging on Facebook ° Join this site with Google Friend Connect
