This is known to many as the physical practice of working individually on a sticky mat doing various stretches and strength building exercises. The word yoga is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘yuj’ meaning union. Union can mean so many things to different people and traditions.

The following are a selection of possible definitions.

“The yogic practitioner is trying to realise a true sense of self realisation.”

“It emphasises a union between the personal, individual being and universal consciousness.”

“A poise of the soul which enables one to look at life in all aspects evenly”

“The chief aim of yoga is to teach the means by which the human soul maybe completely united with the supreme spirit pervading the universe thus secure absolution.”

“Yoga works on your consciousness, conscience, intelligence, senses and flesh.”

“Yoga is the integration of the body, breath, senses, mind, intelligence, knowledge and self with all existence.”

Patajanli’s Yoga Sutras was written over 2000 years ago and is known as the route source to the development of yoga which includes Hatha / Asana yoga. In it he introduces the eight limbs ‘Ashtanga Yoga’, stages towards enlightenment. Asana (the physical body and posture) and Pranayama (the regulation and control of the breath) are the third and fourth limbs. There after comes the fifth limb Pratyahara (the withdrawal of the senses).

According to the Yoga Sutras once mastering a physical practice and bringing awareness and control to the breath; this will lead to the internalisation of the senses by drawing inwards, enabling relaxed concentration and creating the capacity for long periods of meditation and ultimately enlightenment or yoga.

The word Hatha, it is believed, first come into existence around the 9th or 10th Century and derives from the word ‘ha’ meaning sun and ‘tha’ meaning moon, which denotes the union of opposites. The Hatha Yoga Pradipika was written by Yogi Svatmarama in the 15th Century and is known as one of the most important texts detailing the practices of asana, pranayama, mudra and nada.

The practice of Hatha / Asana Yoga

Tirumalai Krishnamacharya (1888- 1998) is regarded as one of the founding fathers in reincarnating the physical practice of yoga by developing a rich and varied system of asana and pranayama techniques. He first started teaching in the 1930s highlighting the benefits of yoga asanas to his students which included improvements in flexibility, stamina and breathing capacity, as well as a complement to general all round fitness and aiding recovery from illness and injury.

Some of his students include: -

· Pattabhi Jois;
· Indra Devi;
· BKS Iyenga; &
· TKV Desikachar.

They and numerous students and teachers since, have played a significant role in the blossoming of various styles of Hatha / Asana yoga throughout the 20th and now the 21st Century.

These practices include: -

· Ashtanga Vinyasa;
· Anusara;
· Bikram;
· Yin;
· Viniyoga;
· Shadow Yoga; and
· various hybrids of the above and more.

The practice of Hatha / Asana yoga encompasses a broad spectrum of physical techniques from passive to dynamic and can play an important role to general health and fitness, as well as encourage better life balance and well being.