The Hatha Yoga Pradipika
Lord Siva, the first and original hatha yoga teacher
CONTENTS
1. Hatha yoga pradipika
2. nadis
3. granthis
4. CHAKRAS
5. kundalini
6. kriya
7. teachning kriya
8. REFERENCES & BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. Hatha yoga pradipika
There are a number of reliable texts on Hatha Yoga within yogic literature written between the 6th and 15th century AD:-
Ø The Goraksha Samhita by Yogi Gorakhnath
Ø Gherand Samhita by Gherand (a great sage)
Ø Hatharatnavali by Srinivasabhatta Mahayogindra.
However, the Hatha Yoga Pradipika (HYP) is one of the most authentic text books on Hatha Yoga, written in the 15th century by Swami Swatmarama, a great Yoga Guru who formulated the principles of hatha yoga and systematically explained various techniques, its effects on body, mind and states of consciousness. It is a comprehensive text on Asanas, Pranayama, Cleansing techniques, Mudras (Mental attitude or gestures), Bandhas (Energy locks), Nada (Sound) Meditation and many more guidelines for following the path of Yoga.
Minor references are made to hatha yoga in the ancient Upanishads and Puranas. The Upanishads date back earlier than the Buddhist period around the 6th century BC, hatha yoga was around for a long time before this period "in a limited form". There’s not really much evidence of any significant hatha yoga practices before about 6th century - before that is was more forest dwelling yogis doing meditation and practicing austerities.
The systematic form of hatha yoga began to emerge in India some time in the 6th century AD and many sects were formed in India, Nepal and Tibet on the basis of hatha yoga.
In ancient times hatha yoga was practised for many years as a preparation for higher states of consciousness.
In the HYP Swami Swatmarama worried less about self-control and self- discipline in the form of yama and niyama (as described by Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras). The emphasis is very much on cleaning the whole body before you do anything else, and sees that the whole purpose of Hatha Yoga is to prepare the body and mind for Raja Yoga (Patanjali’s system of working directly on the mind through meditation).
The book discusses the need for asana and pranayama to be practiced after Shatkarma (cleaning practices) as he reconises that this alone does not constitute the whole of hatha yoga.
He said that the subtle elements, the energy channels (nadis) within the body should be purified and that the prana (energy force) within the body should be maintained and harmonised.
The HYP talks about clearing the body of impurities which in turn releases the energy blocks. It states that the six kriyas of hatha yoga (neti, dhauti, basti, kapalbhati and trataka) are necessary for spiritual aspirants.
2. nadis
Nadi is a tubular channel in the body through which energy flows. Prana or subtle energy (also known as Ki or Chi) flows around the body through the network of nadis.
There are fourteen major nadis which sub-divide into approximately 72,000 nadis throughout the body.
Nadi is described in the HYP as follows:-
Nadi – flow; subtle channel in the pranic body, conducting the flow of
Shakti; comparable to the meridians of acupuncture.
HYP says that “Perfection of hatha yoga is achieved when there is leanness of the body, tranquil countenance, magnification of the inner sound, clear eyes, diseaselessness, control of bindu (semen/ova), active digestive fire and purification of the nadis”.
Therefore what can be said is yoga supports the removal of blockages by free
flow of prana. This in turn would avoid energy stagnation and chances of
disease.
There are three most noted nadis during the process of spiritual development, the Pingala, Ida and Sushumna.
Pingala nadi relates to the right nostril in the physical body and the left hemisphere of the brain and is more associated with the sun, activity and masculinity (see Subtle System diagram below).
Ida nadi relates to left nostril, right brain and is more associated with the symbolic feminine associations, the moon, paleness and passivity.
These two are very important nadis as they criss cross the most important nadi, Sushumna, which corresponds in the physical body to the spine.
Sushumna nadi lies dormant in most people and becomes active with yogic practices, especially pranayama which focuses on working with the energy body.
The HYP (page 493) describes the importance of sushumna nadi, it says that it is the greater than any of the other nadis because it is the ‘royal road’ for the highest force Kundalini, calling it “the main freeway from the depths of the earth to the heights of heaven”.
When the breath flows equally in both nostrils, sushumna is said to be flowing equally – eg danda.
3. GRANTHIS
These are described as psychic knots or safety valves. Granthis lie along the path of the central Sushumna nadi. It is said that as Kundalini rises, these knots are pieced, so changing the perception of reality and consciousness.
Kundalini Tantra by Swami Satyananda Saraswati (page 117) it is said that “they represent levels of awareness where the power of maya, ignorance and attachment to material things is especially strong. Each aspirant must transcend these barriers to make a clear passageway for the ascending kundalini”.
Because it would be dangerous to raise energy up sushumna nadi too quickly, there are three psychic knots which stop energy passing through certain points. They are at the navel/perineum, the heart and the centre of the head.
Ø Brahma granthi – This is the first granthi and is located in the perineum at the region of mooladhara chakra. This knot must be released for kundalini to enter and ascend through sushumna nadi. It is concerned with our physical body and world, our sensual pleasures and experiences of pleasure and pain.
Ø Vishnu granthi – This is the second granthi and is located at the heart knot at the heart at anahata chakra. This links to the understanding of ourselves through the concept of ego. Apparently the urge to preach our version of spirituality is caused by this knot.
Ø Rudra granthi - (Shiva) this is the Third granthi and is located between the eyebrows at ajna chaka. It is concerned with our mortal insecurities and material existence. It is said that when Kundalini pierces this granthi, cosmic energy can progress to the crown chakra enabling the practitioner to gain transcendental consciousness.
It is said that as the kundalini rises, and yogic practices progress, the knots untie themselves when the practitioner is ready. The spiritual awakening of most religious figures follows a trajectory resembling this rise of kundalini. When this last knot is undone, one hits the bliss state, sublimating the petty self with the universal one. In yoga untying these knots is as important as rousing kundalini – the two must go hand in hand. The path has to be cleared or you will be lost, unable to reach the destination.
4. CHAKRAS
In an article in the autumn 2010 addition of Spectrum magazine titled “Sound Healing Through the chakras”, it talks about chakras being energy centres in our bodies. The sages of India apparently used to call these energy centres ‘chakras’. The word Chakra means “wheel”. These “wheels” were thought of as spinning vortexes of energy.
There are seven chakras within the subtle body that are arranged vertically from the base of the spine to the top of the head.
It is said that through external situations and internal habits, like long held physical tension and limiting self-concepts, a chakra can become either deficient or excessive and therefore imbalanced. Therefore by practicing poses that relate to each chakra can release any blockages / imbalances and clear the path to higher consciousness.
Each of the seven chakras is described below:-
THE ROOT CHAKRA - the first and lowest of the seven chakra centres and is located at the base of the spinal column. Its endocrine correspondents are the adrenal glands. It governs the spinal column and kidneys. This centre is described as the point of transition of spirit entering the physical body.
It deals with the area of survival. Often there are seen issues involving faith, trust, and abundant living within this chakra.
THE SACRAL OR EMOTIONAL CENTER - the second chakra, is situated at the root of the genitals. Its endocrine correspondents are the gonads. It governs the reproductive system. Spirit is drawn into form within this centre, as in pregnancy. It is the centre which deals with creativity, sexuality and sharing, early infant/childhood issues, parents and parenting.
THE SOLAR PLEXUS - the third chakra, is below the sternum. The endocrine gland is the pancreas. It governs the stomach, liver, gall bladder and nervous system. This is the place of ego consciousness. How you relate to others without giving away your own power. A mature ego becomes the base of the heart, which trusts and allows the heart to open.
THE HEART CHAKRA - the fourth chakra is in your chest. The endocrine gland is the pancreas. It governs the stomach, liver, gall bladder and nervous system. This centre governs the heart, blood, and circulatory system. Unconditional love is the energy which needs to be felt and communicated through this centre. The form that love takes in our lives is reflective of the flow in this centre. This chakra is also the bridge between the lower three and upper three chakras. It is within the heart that our sense of “beyond self” exists where heaven and earth can meet in each of us.
THROAT CHAKRA - the fifth chakra, is at the base of the throat. The endocrine gland related to it is the thyroid gland. It governs the lungs, bronchial and vocal apparatus and the alimentary canal. It is involved with areas of communication, both sending and receiving. Sometimes this chakra holds anger from not expressing one’s truth. How and what we communicate is an important part of our individuality and purpose.
THIRD EYE - the sixth chakra, is slightly above the area between your eyebrows. The endocrine gland is the pituitary. This centre has been called the “seat of the mind” and governs the lower brain, left eye, ears, nose, and nervous system. This chakra has to do with vision; it provides the ability to look beyond circumstances, to blend reason and intuition, left brain/right brain, mind and sprit. This is the centre of self mastery, expanded consciousness, visions ideas and ideals, inspiration and higher thinking.
CROWN CHAKRA - the seventh chakra, is at the top of the head, the pineal gland is the physical endocrine gland. This centre governs the upper brain, right eye. This is the point where transcending of the physical is possible, the point of conscious consciousness, the unity of all things (pure God Consciousness). This centre has been described as the corridor through which the body moves beyond, and through which the energies of true healing and inner guidance is drawn. Openness to this energy will strip away from life that which is not necessary.
Each Chakra is linked to a different gland in the body, different organs and
physiological functions. Each chakra has a number of petals:-
Chakra / Gland / PetalsCROWN / PINEAL / 1,000
THIRD EYE / PITUITARY / 96
THROAT / THYROID / 16
HEART / THYMUS / 12
SOLAR PLEXUS / PANCREAS / 10
SACRAL / GONADS / OVARIES / 6
BASE / ADRENALS / 4
5. kundalini
Kundalini yoga is often referred to as “the yoga of awareness” and was kept very secret until 1969, prior to this date it was verbally passed down selectively from a master to the chosen individual.
Yogi Bhajan, PhD made it more accessible after 1969 as he recognised this form of yoga would benefit recovering addicts, he believed it to be the fastest way to heal their bodies and minds and give them the spiritual awakening they were seeking.
In 1970 he completed his first teacher’s training and in 1971 the Kundalini Research Institute was formed which went on to train teachers internationally.
Kundalini literally means “the curl of the lock of hair of the beloved”. It is a metaphor used to describe the flow of energy and consciousness that already exists within us.
The Kundalini is untapped energy (prana) at the base of the spine that can be drawn up through the body awakening each of the seven chakras. It is said that full enlightenment occurs when this energy reached the crown chakra. Kundalini is often represented as a snake coiled at the base of the spine.
The practice is invigorating and can stimulate the nervous and immune systems; it also improves flexibility and strength. Its focus is on self-awareness and delivering an experience of your highest consciousness.
I’ve read that a typical class would include six major components and would look as follows:-
1. tuning in with the Adi Mantra
2. pranayam or warm up
3. kriya
4. relaxation
5. meditation
6. close with the blessing song “May the Long Time Sun Shine Upon You”
Typically a class would last 60 – 90 minutes: 5-10 minute warm up, 30-45 minute kriya, 5-15 minute layout, 11-31 minutes of meditation. I haven’t yet got along to a class but I’m keen to try it out one day to experiment and learn from a different practice.