Everything about Classical Isha Hatha Yoga and Isha Yoga in depth

Hatha comes from two words: Ha and Tha. Ha means Sun, and Tha means moons. Life is possible only on this earth due to the sun, and the birth of human beings is in sync with the moon cycle. The menstrual cycle of our mother is in sync with the moon's rotation around the Earth, and that’s why the birth is possible. Also, in Yoga, we say the Sun represents Pingala and the Moon represents Ida, which are within us. So the whole science of Hatha yoga is to bring the balance between the Sun and Moon or Pingala and Ida, which are the two basic Nadis within us. Nadis are the energy channels or pathways in which energy moves.

There is another meaning of the Hatha, and that is adamant. Hatha Yogis (hatha yoga practitioners) are known for their unwavering dedication. Their Guru has given them one posture (Asana) as their sadhana for liberation. They remain in that posture for a very long duration, which is possible only when you are adamant. This level of dedication is necessary to break the limitations of the body and mind, which can otherwise become a struggle for your whole life.

Understanding and engaging in Hatha yoga poses and practices can be a transformative journey. When approached with dedication and discipline, these practices have the potential to significantly enhance one's physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. This potential for personal growth is not just a promise but a reality that will inspire and motivate one on a spiritual journey.

There are 84 fundamental postures or asanas in Hatha Yoga. Over time, many masters, gurus, yogis, yoginis, and teachers have come up with modifications and variations, leading to over 700 postures being practised worldwide. Some of these 84 postures are arranged in a particular manner for different purposes and benefits, known as Hatha yoga practices. Here, we are mostly talking about the Classical Hatha Yoga Practices. 

Exploring  Hatha Yoga practices

Exploring the various types of Hatha Yoga practices is a fascinating journey. Each type is unique in its approach and offers distinct benefits to the practitioner. Understanding these types can help you choose the practice that best suits your needs and goals. The diversity of Hatha Yoga practices, from the gentle Upa Yoga to the advanced classical Hatha yoga practices, will pique your interest and inspire you to delve deeper into this ancient discipline. 

Upa Yoga

Upa yoga is a practice that welcomes everyone, especially beginners. It's a lighter form of yoga that focuses on the basic movements of body parts essential for survival, such as arms, neck, knees, fingers, and joints. These practices are designed to be easy to learn and practice, and some are even offered for free on various online platforms, making them accessible to all. This inclusivity ensures that everyone, regardless of their experience or resources, can embark on their yoga journey with confidence and a sense of belonging. 

Types of the Upa Yoga 

• Directional moments of the Arms: These are the possible moments of the arms in different directions with a certain rhythm and circular moments of the hands and arms. This is very helpful in restoring metabolic activity to normal. 

• Neck practices: These are the different possible directions of the neck and shoulder and are very helpful in loosening neck and shoulder muscles and increasing the brain's neurological activity.

• Knee rotation: This practice is not just about keeping the knee movements free; it's about maintaining the health of your knee cartilage. The clockwise and anticlockwise movements in a chair position help secrete synovial fluid, which reduces friction and wear and tear between the bones, ensuring your knees stay healthy and strong.

• Squatting: This practice involves lifting your hips up and down loosely in the squatting position. It's designed to increase the flexibility of your thigh and calf muscles, enhance your body's freedom, and improve your overall mobility. 

• Yog Namaskar: These are simple sit-ups in a very particular way that coordinates with the movement of the breath and other body parts. Yoga Namaskar is a way to strengthen your spine and surrounding muscles so that when your spine starts degenerating due to ageing, doing this practice regularly maintains the strength of the spine.

You can learn many other practices as an Upa Yoga practice, and it is a good preparation for learning the main and advanced hatha yoga practices and other advanced isha yoga practices. 

The main and advanced classical Hatha yoga practices 

Angamardana 

Angamardana is made up from two words Anga+Mardana. Anga means the body parts, and mardana means to kill. But mardana literally means killing the limbs. So, if you do Angamardana for 12 years, you will feel so light that you have no sense of body; all you feel is your spine. In Yoga, we say the spine is the most essential part of the body. This is known as the centre of the universe. 

Surya kriya

Surya and kriya are both Sanskrit words. Surya means Sun, and Kriya means inner energy processes. This process is a combination of the 21 Asanas in a sequence. It is designed in such a way that nearly every part of your body gets some moments perfectly. It will bring strength to your body and stillness to your mind. 

Yogasana 

What does Yogasana mean? This comes from two Sanskrit words: Yoga and Asana, and Asana means a posture. How many postures are possible? How many postures can the body take? Innumerable, isn’t it? Yoga is the way to reach the ultimate or become a union with the creator. So out of these innumerable Asanas, those that help us to reach the ultimate are known as the Yogasanas. 

Surya Shakti 

Surya means Sun, and Shakti means Power or Energy. Surya Shakti is a complete process by itself. Sadhguru says that if you can do 108 Surya Shaktis daily, There is no need for any other exercise. You will be physically fit and in a different energy state altogether. 

Bhuta Shuddhi 

Bhuta means Panch Bhutas, i.e., five elements. Shuddhi means to cleanse, so Bhuta Suddhi means cleansing these five elements: Earth (Bhumi), Water (Jala), Fire (Agni), Air (Vayu), and Eather (Akash). All the processes of yoga are designed to master these elements. If one has mastered these elements, the peak of life is close.

Jala Neti 

Jala Neti is a Permanent cure for nostril-related issues. It involves cleansing the nasal passage with a scientifically designed copper pot and saline water. The Sadhguru carefully designed it so air would enter the system unimpeded by mucus and dirt, which easily build up during the day.

Bhastrika Kriya

This is a type of pranayama. So first, what does pranayama mean? Prana means the basic life energies within us, and Yama means to control. Pranayama means controlling prana.

We offer these hatha yoga practices and other Hatha yoga practices in workshops and classes. To learn these and other classical Hatha yoga practices, you can visit our services pages or contact us in different ways.

Advanced isha yoga practices

Shambhavi Mahamudra Kriya, or Inner engineering 

Isha's initial routine involves the Shambhavi Mahamudra, an ancient kriya with millions of committed practitioners who have reported improved emotional balance, concentration, focus, stability, and better health through regular meditation practice. Numerous scientific studies have also documented the diverse benefits of regular kriya practice, including its impact on brain activity and its effects on people's health and well-being.

Shoonya intensive meditation

Sadhguru has developed the Shoonya Intensive, an advanced meditation program that combines the dynamic Shakti Chalana Kriya and Shoonya Meditation. This program is designed for individuals who are interested in delving into deeper inner dimensions. Shakti Chalana Kriya consists of powerful practices that purify and enhance the flow of vital energy. Shoonya Meditation, on the other hand, is an effortless process of conscious non-doing. These techniques help release physical, mental, and emotional blocks when practised together, leading to a profound sense of inner well-being. The Shoonya Intensive is a four-day residential program held at the Isha Yoga Center in India, the Isha Institute of Inner Sciences in the USA, and occasionally at various other centres worldwide.

Bhava Spandana 

The Bhava Spandana Program, created by Sadhguru, is an advanced meditation program that allows individuals to reach higher levels of consciousness and surpass the body's and mind's limitations. The term "Bhava" refers to "sensation," while "Spandana" can be interpreted as "resonance." By engaging in powerful processes and meditations, this program establishes a highly energetic environment where personal identity and the constraints of the five senses can be transcended, leading to a sense of unity and resonance with the universe. Participants can expect to encounter boundless love and joy during the program. The Bhava Spandana Program is a 4-day, 3-night residential program held at the Isha Yoga Center in India, the Isha Institute of Inner-sciences in the USA, and occasionally at other centres worldwide. This program is exclusively available to individuals who have received initiation into Shambhavi Mahamudra and are dedicated to its practice. It is focused on providing a transformative experience, with no new practices being introduced.

 Samyama 

Sadhguru conducts an intensive residential program called Samyama, where participants undergo 8 days of complete silence and long hours of meditation. This program aims to help individuals break free from the cycle of karma, purify their system, and open themselves up to deeper experiences. Samyama also offers the potential for participants to attain higher levels of consciousness and experience intense states of meditativeness in the presence of Sadhguru.

To learn more about these advanced Isha yoga Practices, you can visit https://www.videh.org/yoga or https://isha.sadhguru.org/en/sadhguru