Yoga

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Hatha yoga, also known as Hatha vidya, is a particular system of Yoga introduced by Yogi Swatmarama, a sage of 15th century India, and compiler of the Hatha Yoga Pradipika.

In this treatise Swatmarama introduces Hatha Yoga as 'a stairway to the heights of Raja Yoga', hence a preparatory stage of physical purification that renders the body fit for the practise of higher meditation.

The Asanas and Pranayama in Raja Yoga were what the Hindu Yogis used to physically train their body for long periods of meditation. This practise is called shatkarma.

The word Hatha is a compound of the words Ha and Tha meaning sun and moon and refers to the principal nadis (energy channels) of the subtle body that must be fully operational to attain a state of dhyana or samadhi.

In other respects Hatha yoga follows the same principles as the Raja Yoga of Patanjali including moral restraint yama and spiritual observances niyama. Hatha Yoga is what most people in the West associate with the word "Yoga" and is practiced for mental and physical health throughout the West

This is a list of common postures (also called asanas) used in Hatha Yoga. Depending on the style, other names may also be used.

Sanskrit	English
Adho Mukha Svanasana	Downward-Facing Dog
Adho Mukha Vrksasana	Handstand (Downward-Facing Tree)
Anjali Mudra	Salutation Seal
Ardha Chandrasana
Ardha Matsyendrasana	of the Fishes
Baddha Konasana	Bound Angle
Bakasana	Crane
Balasana	Child
Bhadrasana	Auspicious Pose
Bharadvajasana I	Bharadvaja's Twist
Bhujangasana	Cobra
Chaturanga Dandasana	Four-Limbed Staff
Dhanurasana	Bow
Eka Pada Rajakapotasana	One-Legged King Pigeon
Garudasana	Eagle
Gomukhasana	Cow Face
Gomukhasana	Cow Head
Halasana	Plow
Hanumanasana	Monkey (named after Hanuman)
Janu Sirsasana	Head-to-Knee Forward Bend
Krounchasana	Heron
Kukutasana	Cockerel
Kurmasana	Tortoise
Matsyasana	Fish
Matsyendrasana	Half Lord of the Fishes
Mayurasana	Peacock
Natarajasana	Lord of the Dance
Padmasana	Lotus
Paripurna Navasana	Full Boat
Parivrtta Parsvakonasana	Revolved Side Angle
Parivrtta Trikonasana	Revolved Triangle
Pasasana	Noose
Paschimottanasana	Seated Forward Bend
Prasarita Padottanasana	Intense Spread Leg Stretch
Salabhasana	Locust
Sarvangasana	Shoulder Stand
Savasana	Corpse (Dead body) - relaxation
Setu Bandha Sarvangasana	Bridge
Siddhasana	Perfect Pose
Simhasana	Lion
Sirsasana	Head Stand
Supta Baddha Konasana	Reclining Bound Angle
Supta Padangusthasana	Reclining Big Toe
Supta Virasana	Reclining Hero
Svastikasana	Prosperous Pose
Tadasana	Mountain
Trikonasana	Triangle
Upavistha Konasana	Open Angle
Urdhva Dhanurasana	Upward Bow , Backbend, or Wheel
Urdhva Mukha Svanasana	Upward-Facing Dog
Ustrasana	Camel
Utaana Kurmasana	Upside-Down Tortoise
Utkatasana	Chair
Uttanasana	Standing Forward Bend
Utthita Parsvakonasana	Extended Side Angle
Utthita Trikonasana	Extended Triangle
Vasisthasana	Side Plank
Viparita Karani	Legs-up-the-Wall
Virasana	Hero
Vrksasana	Tree

Further Information