Yoga Demystified
This is my personal attempt as a yogi to demystify some of the misinterpretation related to the field of YOGA. I am going to try to demystify as many, as the times goes with the help of FAQ mode (Frequently Asked Question?). So keep visiting this page as this will grow.
Q.1 What is the difference between yoga and asana?
First of all, Yoga Vidhya (knowledge) is a Science which has many applications and it deals with Body, Breath, Mind, Soul, Ultimately the Universe Itself. Out of its many applications, ASANA is one.
The definition of Yoga has been quoted frequently from the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali as
"Yogas citta-vrtti-nirodhah. Tada drastuh svarupe vasthanam."
If I may freely translate from the Sanskrit, preserving the meaning of the words: Yoga is integration and mastery over all levels of the mind. Then the seer, the Self rests in its true nature.
Yoga is a system of techniques that lead to self mastery
If you really want to understand the difference between the two, then nothing explains better than this image.
So if you are attending so called yoga class: perhaps you are attending a mere yoga asana class. Anyway ask yourself?
First of all, Yoga Vidhya (knowledge) is a Science which has many applications and it deals with Body, Breath, Mind, Soul, Ultimately the Universe Itself. Out of its many applications, ASANA is one.
The definition of Yoga has been quoted frequently from the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali as
"Yogas citta-vrtti-nirodhah. Tada drastuh svarupe vasthanam."
If I may freely translate from the Sanskrit, preserving the meaning of the words: Yoga is integration and mastery over all levels of the mind. Then the seer, the Self rests in its true nature.
Yoga is a system of techniques that lead to self mastery
If you really want to understand the difference between the two, then nothing explains better than this image.
So if you are attending so called yoga class: perhaps you are attending a mere yoga asana class. Anyway ask yourself?
Q.2 What is Hatha Yoga?
To begin, the word hatha literally means “effort,” “force,” or “exertion,” and as such has a couple important implications when designating the physical branch of Yoga.
First, “hatha yoga” technically refers to an approach to Yoga which begins with exertion or physical effort.
Traditionally, we would start with conspicuous effort (i.e., the poses), then work toward more subtle practices, (breathwork, muscular and energetic “locks” designed to guide the flow of energy, etc.), before finally moving to the more internal level of meditation.
Hatha yoga is a branch of yoga, one of the six schools of Hinduism. The Sanskrit word haṭha literally means "force" and thus alludes to a system of physical exercises and breathing control used in yoga.
The fact that this is called the path of “effort” reminds us that spiritual work takes every bit as much exertion and dedication as physical work, and that we shouldn’t let that effort discourage us. The term “The Yoga of Effort” reminds us that this exertion is completely natural and normal, ultimately helping us stay positive and on track.
Curiously, one of the most common misunderstandings in today’s yoga world – and in turn, one of the most commonly-transmitted errors – is the mistaken idea that the word hatha is made of the roots ha, meaning “sun,” and tha, meaning “moon,” and that the term was chosen to convey the idea that, in our physical practices, we are striving to integrate the “solar” and “lunar” energies of the body.
The Origins of the Concept of Hatha as “Sun & Moon”
At this point, you may be wondering: “But what about ‘sun’ and ‘moon’ – aren’t they at least part of the term?” Actually, this is a very common but complete error. Simply put, the Sanskrit root ha- has nothing to do with “sun,” nor does tha have any associations with “moon.”
To begin, the word hatha literally means “effort,” “force,” or “exertion,” and as such has a couple important implications when designating the physical branch of Yoga.
First, “hatha yoga” technically refers to an approach to Yoga which begins with exertion or physical effort.
Traditionally, we would start with conspicuous effort (i.e., the poses), then work toward more subtle practices, (breathwork, muscular and energetic “locks” designed to guide the flow of energy, etc.), before finally moving to the more internal level of meditation.
Hatha yoga is a branch of yoga, one of the six schools of Hinduism. The Sanskrit word haṭha literally means "force" and thus alludes to a system of physical exercises and breathing control used in yoga.
The fact that this is called the path of “effort” reminds us that spiritual work takes every bit as much exertion and dedication as physical work, and that we shouldn’t let that effort discourage us. The term “The Yoga of Effort” reminds us that this exertion is completely natural and normal, ultimately helping us stay positive and on track.
Curiously, one of the most common misunderstandings in today’s yoga world – and in turn, one of the most commonly-transmitted errors – is the mistaken idea that the word hatha is made of the roots ha, meaning “sun,” and tha, meaning “moon,” and that the term was chosen to convey the idea that, in our physical practices, we are striving to integrate the “solar” and “lunar” energies of the body.
The Origins of the Concept of Hatha as “Sun & Moon”
At this point, you may be wondering: “But what about ‘sun’ and ‘moon’ – aren’t they at least part of the term?” Actually, this is a very common but complete error. Simply put, the Sanskrit root ha- has nothing to do with “sun,” nor does tha have any associations with “moon.”