hatha

Hatha Yoga

The component, “Ha”, means sun in Sanskrit. It represents the “positive” part of the whole, and consists of:

Sun

Light

Heat

Energy

Passion

Activity

Creativity

The right side of the body is positively charged electrically. The main channel of energy running through the right side is called the pingala nadi in Sanskrit. Working with this channel we can stimulate our left brain activity.

The component “Tha” means moon in Sanskrit. It represents the “negative” part of the whole, and consists of:

Moon

Cool

Receptive

Reflective

The left side of the body is negatively charged electrically. The main channel of energy running through the left side is called the ida nadi. Working with this channel we can stimulate our right brain activity.

Asana (yoga postures), pranayama (breathing exercises), and meditation are practices that help us to continuously balance our positive and negative components. Working with both energy channels we can balance our energy, mind, emotions, moods, brain activity, and the processes in our bodies. When in balance, the prana in the body travels through the sushumna nadi, which is situated between the ida and pingala nadis. This is what is referred the raising of the kundalini shakti, or energy which leads the yogi to samadhi, or enlightenment, the eighth limb of yoga. (Pantanjali)

In the yoga shastra it is said that God dwells in our heart in the form of light, but this light is covered by six poisons; kama, krodha, moha, lobha, matsarya, and mada. These are desire, anger, delusion, greed, envy and sloth. When yoga practice is sustained with great diligence and dedication over a long period of time, the heat generated from it burns away these poisons, and the light of our inner nature shines forth.

After studying the above; I have found that it is quite helpful to what I would like to find within.   Maybe a lot of time goes into thinking and not doing.  Recently, each day has felt better and better.  My load is lighter and lighter each day.

“When yoga practice is sustained with great diligence and dedication over a long period of time, the heat generated from it burns away these poisons, and the light of our inner nature shines forth.”

This is the last part to the above mentioned quote.  The word that rings in my mind is -DILIGENCE-.

diligence1n

1. steady and careful application
2. proper attention or care
3. (Law) Law the degree of care required in a given situation
1. Steady and careful application – During practice there is complete and steady application to the poses.  I love the way I feel.  The way my body feels and the way my mind sort of goes within.  Careful application to the poses.  This way I don’t hurt myself or my body.
2. Proper attention and care – In any pose there must be proper attention to what you are doing.   But If I am honest – is there proper attention to my goals and practice?  Is there proper care for my body and lifestyle?  Maybe I should stop doing some of the responsibilites I have taken on?  Is it possible that I am not seeing divine intervention? Maybe I am being told to relieve myself and not worry about various issues.  Who knows?  THE DIVINE KNOWS!
3.Law the degree of care required in any given  situation-this is the mose interesting part.  The degree.  What is the degree within?  and What should the degree be?  Thinking of degrees I must turn back to meditation and pranayama.  Meditation and Pranayama change your mind, your attitude, and the degree of your position in any given situation.  To delve within and do my work inside.  This shell that my soul lives in.  This shell that holds my soul to may body.
And ultimately BREATH!  We are nothing without our BREATH!  It is the most important element.  And we are full of elements.  Fire,Water, Air, Ether and Earth!

May I burn the bad to receive the gold.  “Sweat is an important by product of, because it is only through sweat that disease leaves the body and purification occurs. In the same way that gold is melted in a pot to remove its impurities, by the virtue of the dirt rising to the surface as the gold boils, and the dirt then being removed, yoga boils the blood and brings all our toxins to the surface, which are removed through sweat.”