E-ISSN:2456-3110

Review Article

Hatha Yoga

Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences

2023 Volume 8 Number 1 January
Publisherwww.maharshicharaka.in

Sarvavyadinashaka Asanas w.s.r. to Hatha Yoga Pradipika

Karki A.1*
DOI:

1* Asha Karki, Assistant Professor, Department of Swasthavritta, RKM Ayurvedic Medical College, Vijayapur, Karnataka, India.

India is famous for its culture and heritage. To boost up this concept our country stands first to teach Yoga to the universe. Yoga is a skilled performance and practicing Yoga leads to Moksha. Whereas the main of Ayurveda is also to attain Moksha. To understand the concepts of Yoga, Acharyas have explained different types of Yoga as Bhakti Yoga, Karma Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Raja Yoga etc. Whereas, Hatha Yoga gives importance to strengthening the body and one will be disease free after following the concepts explained under the same. Concentrating on ultimate aim of both Yoga and Ayurveda i.e., to attain Moksha one should be healthy. The health of the individual can be gained by following all routines explained by our ancestors including Hathayoga.

Keywords: Hatha Yoga, Matsyendrasana, Paschimottanasana, Mayurasana, Padmasana

Corresponding Author How to Cite this Article To Browse
Asha Karki, Assistant Professor, Department of Swasthavritta, RKM Ayurvedic Medical College, Vijayapur, Karnataka, India.
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Asha Karki, Sarvavyadinashaka Asanas w.s.r. to Hatha Yoga Pradipika. J Ayu Int Med Sci. 2023;8(1):50-53.
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https://jaims.in/jaims/article/view/2220

Manuscript Received Review Round 1 Review Round 2 Review Round 3 Accepted
2022-11-29 2022-12-01 2022-12-08 2022-12-15 2022-12-22
Conflict of Interest Funding Ethical Approval Plagiarism X-checker Note
Nil Nil Yes 17%

© 2023by Asha Karkiand Published by Maharshi Charaka Ayurveda Organization. This is an Open Access article licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ unported [CC BY 4.0].

Introduction

Yoga is the ancient science. Initially started by Lord Shiva, later on followed by many. So many books related to Yoga are there. Among them Hathayoga Pradipika is also one. The author of Hathayoga Pradipika is Shri Swatmarama Yogi, who learnt this knowledge from Yogi Matsyendranath and Gorakhnath. Period of the literature is between the year 1350-1500. Under the 4 headings Hathyayoga has been explained by the author, namely Asana Vidhi, Pranayama Vidhi, Mudra Vidhana and Samadhi Lakshana. Hatha Yoga gives importance to strengthening the body and prepares one for the Rajayoga and later for the ultimate aim to achieve Moksha. "Ha" represents Surya i.e., Pingala Nadi and "Tha" represents Chandra i.e., Ida Nadi and the union of both is called as "Hatha".

In other words, the flow of Prana through Sushumna Nadi is called as Hatha. One cannot achieve mastery over Rajayoga, without the practice of Hathayoga, similarly Hathayoga cannot be conquered without the help of Rajayoga. So, both of these should be learnt simultaneously.

To practice Hatha Yoga one should follow the rules explained by the author like, Yogi should think of the place where to practice (Yoga Matha), Yogasiddhikara and Pratibhandakara Bhava, one has to follow Dasha Yama and Niyama, consider Mitahara, Pathya and Apathya Ahara Vihara also. By keeping all these things in mind, when one practice Asana there will be Sthairya, Arogya and Anga Laghava. Whereas the Hathayoga Siddhi Lakshanas are: lean body, pleasant face, clear and melodious voice, eyes clear of blemishes, bright healthy body, abstinence, enhancement of Agni and purity of all Nadis. 15 Asanas have been explained in first Upadesha and among them Matsyendrasana, Paschimottasana, Mayurasana and Padmasana are explained as Sarva Vyadhinashaka Asanas, when practiced as explained. So, one should practice these Asanas to gain Health and to be disease free.

Materials and Methods

1. Matsyendrasana

Method

1. Sit with the legs stretched forwards on the ground.

2. Bend the left leg at knee, place the sole and heal of left foot on the floor.

3. With exhalation turn the spine about 90 degrees to the left, so that right arm pit touches the outer side of the right thigh.

4. Place the right shoulder beyond the left knee and stretch right arm forwards.

5. Exhale, move the right arm around the left knee, bend the right elbow and place the right hand at the back of the waist.

6. With deep exhalation, twist the left arm from the shoulder behind the back and clasp the right hand behind the back with the left hand.

Benefits

Enhances Jatharagni, act as weapon to destroy all Rogas and helps to awaken Kundalini power and gives Sthairya to man.

2. Paschimottanasana

Method

1. Sit straight with the legs extended to the front.

2. Hold the great toes of foot with respective hands.

3. With exhalation bend forwards and touch the head to the knee joint.

4. The elbows should touch the ground.

5. Be in this position for 30-60 seconds.

6. Release the hands and with exhalation come back to the earlier posture.

Benefits

Helps to circulate Shareeragata Vayu i.e., Prana Shakti through Paschim Marga i.e., Sushumna Nadi. Enhances Jatharagni, reduces abdominal fat and the does Arogata of Shareera.

3. Mayurasana

Methods

1. Kneel down on the ground with the knees slightly apart.

2. Bend forward, place the palms with the fingers positioning back and place them on the ground.

3. Bend the elbows and place the fore arms together. Rest the abdomen on the elbows and the chest on the posterior aspect of the upper arms.


4. Extend the legs straight one by one and place them together and stiff.

5. Exhale, transfer the body weight on the wrists and hands, lift the legs from the floor, simultaneously stretch trunk and head forwards. Keep the body parallel to the ground.

5. Then slowly lower the body on the ground and come to the earlier position.

Benefits

It destroys all diseases including Gulma, Udara Roga. Pacifies increased doshas. Helps in digestion and increases Jatharagni and also have the capacity to digest the Kalakoota Visha.

4. Padmasana

Method

1. Sit on the ground with the legs stretched.

2. Bend the right leg at the knee and keep it on the root of left thigh, so that right heel is near the umbilicus.

3. Bend the left leg at the knee and keep it on the root of right thigh and heel near the umbilicus.

4. Sit in the position comfortably with hands placed one above the other.

5. Back, neck and body should be straight.

6. Change the position of the legs after some time and perform the posture with opposite way.

Benefits

The Asana is called as Sarva Vyadhi Vinashakara.

Discussion

1. Matsyendrasana - pressure of the heels against the naval and clasping of the hands behind the back stimulates the nerves around the umbilicus. It tones liver, spleen and pancreas and calcium deposits in the shoulder joints is resolved. The movements of shoulder joint become free.

2. Paschimottanasana - reduces abdominal fat, beneficial in defects of Prana Vayu, tones up the abdominal organs like kidney, liver, spleen etc. strengthens the spine. This pose massages heart and it increases vitality and helps to cure impotence and gain control over sex.

3. Mayurasana - tones up the abdominal part of the body. Due to pressure of the elbow against the abdominal aorta blood circulation enhances. Prevents accumulation of toxins, cures ailments of stomach and spleen. Enhances the strength of forearms, wrists and elbows.

4. Padmasana - best posture for meditation and Pranayama. Makes the mind attentive and alert. Beneficial in curing stiffness of knees and ankles. Enhances blood circulation in lumbar and abdominal regions. Tones up the spine and abdominal organs.

jaims_2220_01.JPGFigure 1: Matsyendrasana

jaims_2220_02.JPGFigure 2: Paschimottanasana

jaims_2220_03.JPGFigure 3: Mayurasana


jaims_2220_04.JPGFigure 4: Padmasana

Conclusion

According to Hatha Yoga Pradipika all the above said Asanas namely Matsyendrasana, Paschimottanasana, Mayurasana and Padmasana are described as Sarva Vyadhinashaka Asanas. As the abdominal organs will get massaged and spine tones up after performing these Asanas, it automatically helps to restore the health. Hence, these Asanas can be prescribed for the person suffering from any of the disorder keeping contra-indications in mind or these Asanas can be advised for maintenance of good health also. If one is able to practice these 4 Asanas with ease, they can come out of the diseases.

Reference

1. Sarvesh Kumar Agrawal, HathaYoga pradipika, chaukambha orientalia, Varanasi.

2. Mangalgowri V. Rao, A text book of swastha vritta chaukambha orientalia, Varanasi.

3. Swami Satyananda Saraswati, Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha, 2013 Golden Jubilee edition, Yoga Publications Trust, Munger, Bihar, India.

4. Geeta S Iyengar, Yoga - A Gem for Women, Allied publishers private limited, India.


5. Bargale Sushant Sukumar, Shashirekha H K, Text Book of Swasthavritta, Chaukhambha Publications, New Delhi.