Hatha Yoga Pradipika

Hatha yoga is a yoga type that combines masculine (ha - sun) and feminine (tha - moon) aspects to create a "forceful (hatha) joining or combination of two things (yoga means the act or process of combining two aspects together). These concepts plus information on various topics in the practice of hatha are embodied in the hatha yoga pradipika.

What is it?

The hatha yoga pradipika is a Sanskrit manual on this type of yoga. It considered to be the oldest text in the yoga and is dedicated to Shiva - named here as Lord Adinath - who was thought to be the one who gave the secret of this yoga to Parvati, his divine consort. Hatha yoga trainers would have ideally familiarized themselves with the components and teachings in the hatha yoga pradipika.

The guidebook contains specific instructions on various parts of the yoga. For instance, it starts off with the fundamental rules and principles. Because yoga is a spiritual and physical activity, the students/yogis are instructed show reverence to a divine power, usually that of Shiva or Siva.

The correct venue for the hatha yoga activity is also described in the guidebook. Such a spot should be quiet, safe, and free from any kind of disturbance - noise of TV or radio, among others. There are also specific instructions as to how the room should be - how high should the windows be and other physical aspects such as an outside platform and surrounding walls. However, one must not let these room requirements bother the yoga exercises. In fact, if such rooms are not available, one must not really despair or go out of the way to re-create such a room.

The Yoga Positions

A large portion of the hatha yoga pradipika is dedicated to detailing various positions and their corresponding theories, explanations, and use. For instance, one action will be detailed in a step-by-step manner then instructions as to the extent and length of time that the action should be undertaken will be outlined. Then, relevant information such as the illnesses that the position can help cure will then be listed.

Aside from the positions, hatha yoga pradipika also outlines what the yogi must do follow the right way of life plus various instructions on the yoga and about life in general.

When one is seriously taking up yoga, he or she can have the right yoga equipment and techniques yet not know anything about what yoga - in this case, hatha - really is. The challenge is to read the pradipika at least once and be enlightened by its teachings.