“The true purpose of hatha yoga is not to build the body or to improve health, but to awaken the higher centers responsible for the evolution of human consciousness. If hatha yoga is not used for this purpose, its true meaning is lost.”

- Swami Satyananda Saraswati


ASANA

Asanas are techniques for arranging the physical body in positions that cultivate awareness, relaxation, concentration, and meditation.

An important part of this process is stimulating the pranic channels (Nadis), internal organs, and hormonal glands. Hatha yogis have discovered through practice that asanas open the channels through which Prana (life energy) flows. Asanas have become tools for achieving higher consciousness; enabling the knowledge of the physical body, breath, mind, and more subtle states of awareness.


PRANAYAMA

PRANA means "vital energy" or "life force" and AYAMA means "to expand" so therefore pranayama is the expansion of life energy. This vital energy is responsible for all life experiences, both physical and subtle. Pranayama harmonizes and unblocks the pranic body, which is the network of nerve channels that carry life force to every cell and organ in your body.


MANTRA

A mantra is a sound, or combination of sounds, that sets a particular vibration in the body and psyche of a person. It exerts such a powerful effect through sound waves and a specific frequency. It is not the meaning of the mantra, but its sound waves that affect the space of the brain and the space around us. Repetition of a mantra sets an intense and pervasive pattern of sound vibrations that can change the frequency of the brain rhythm, leading to spectacular changes in consciousness.


MEDITATION - PRATYAHARA

Sensory withdrawal techniques; in which the disturbances of the mind are extinguished, redirecting the senses inwards so that the mind can rest. Practices of mind management to clear the mind from all of its impurities and impressions from the day which clogs the mind. Selected pratyahara techniques are: shavasana, yoga nidra and so-called "sitting meditations" such as; Bhramari (humming bee breath), Antar Mouna (inner silence), Japa (repetition of mantra), Kaya Sthairyam (stable body) etc.


MUDRA

Means gesture/attitude/posture. Mudras are combinations of subtle physical movements and gestures that alter mood, perception, habits, emotions; which actually leads to deeper awareness and concentration. They harmonize Prana (life energy) dispersed in a person's body and mind, thereby calming and introverting - making it easier to achieve mental alignment and concentration. They serve as a bridge, a link between the mind, the physical body, and the pranic body. They express many positive ideas such as beauty, devotion, nobility, joy, humility, compassion, peace, gratitude.

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