There are many branches of the Tree of Yoga : Karma, Jnana, Raja, Bhakti, Mantra to name but a few. For the time being we are forced to content ourselves with this most minimalistic view of Hatha Yoga. Many people believe that Hatha Yoga is just an exercise regime. The truth is that a full Hatha Yoga practice incorporates all of the limbs of the ashtanga system as well as Karma, Jnana and Bhakti Yoga.
As the most well known and widely practiced form of Yoga in the west, the term Hatha Yoga as it is commonly used is misleading. What we are really referring to collectively with the term are the physical and cleansing practices that embrace Asana (posture), Pranayama (breath), Mudra (combination of subtle gesture or attitude) and Bandha (holding or locking vital energy). As with Yoga in all it's aspects, tradition informs us to find a Teacher or Guru to lead us safely from the darkness of ignorance to the light of knowledge. When thinking of postural yoga as a whole we shall refer to it as 'Yoga asana'.
It is not possible to use a word like 'Guru' and just pass it off without comment. Unfortunately, the term seems to have become the generic description of just about anybody who has attained some status in their chosen field. A dismissive use, propagated by copy writers to sell products. Guru....Guru....Guru.... if you are a seeker, do not pass over this word, research it, explore and search out your own true Guru. Embrace your guru's teachings, immerse yourself in the warm waters made tranquil by the ancient wisdom's handed down from guru to disciple.
Surprisingly, the teaching of Yoga asana in the west is for the most part only in it's3rd, possibly 4th, generation. Sri Tirumalai Krishnamacharya, who lived to be over 100 years old, is considered to be a leading first generation master. Elements of his teachings have become well known around the world through the work of his son T.K.V, Desikachar, B.K.S Iyengar, Pattabi Jois and Indra Devi who all studied with Krishnamacharya in their early years. The roots of the trees that they have planted have taken a firm and healthy hold around the globe.
Since the 1950's thousands of students from all over the world have visited the various ashrams and centres. A new generation of extraordinary and gifted teachers have emerged, bringing a contemporary dynamic and acceptance to this most traditional and classical form of self improvement.
In simple terms Yoga asana have evolved as a method of purification, working on the outer or physical body to build a rewarding storehouse of self effort. Constant practice is essential to increase flexibility, stamina, and strength. Whilst at first asana might be uncomfortable and at times even unbearable, after a while the effort of maintaining the body in the same position is extinguished. A devoted practice will undoubtedly draw one to a perfect posture and a natural synthesis of the breath and the body.
The unavoidable gift of such devotion and self effort is a seated posture full of equipoise and perfect balanced stillness. One meaning of the word Yoga is to attain what was previously unattainable. The literal meaning of Asana is a 'seat'. So it is not by coincidence that Asana draws us to that point. A perfect seat for meditation, an embarkation point for that inner journey.
It is profoundly comforting to witness the relevance and efficacy of such an ancient and natural wisdom on the challenges of life in our modern era. Given today's systems of communication even the most guarded secrets of the ascetics, handed from teacher to disciple for millennia, are widely available to us all.
Yoga is the scientific art of remembering our true nature.
Yoga is a discipline of aligning with the pulsation and flow of God or Nature.