The Types of Hatha Yoga

Yama

• The first limb of hatha yoga is called "yama," which means "restraint" in Sanskrit. Before rolling out the yoga mat to stretch and tone the body, yoga asks you to first look at your own life honestly and clearly. According to "Yoga Journal," "the yamas deal with one's ethical standards and sense of integrity." The five yamas are ahimsa, satya, asteya, aparigraha and bramacharya, which are non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, non-covetousness and moderation in all things, including celibacy. The Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Organization refers to the Yamas as the "dont's" of yoga, because if you do these five things, your life can be out of balance and your ability to efficiently practice yoga decreases.

Niyama

• After examining your life and mode of conduct, the next step in hatha yoga is to start practicing the Niyamas. The Niyamas, or observances, are the second limb and the "do's" of hatha yoga. These five observances are saucha, santosha, tapas, swadhyaya and ishwara pranidhana --- cleanliness or purity, contentment, austerity, study of sacred texts and constantly living with an awareness of the divine presence.

Asana

• When you make it through the hard work of self introspection, it is time to get out your yoga mat. The third limb of hatha yoga is the one most people are familiar with --- the physical postures, or asanas. In "The Hatha Yoga Pradipika," one of the first texts written about hatha yoga, it states that asanas "should be practiced for gaining steady posture, health and lightness of body. Success comes to him who is engaged in the practice. By merely reading books on Yoga, one can never get success." Yoga asanas are about making the body strong and healthy to prepare you for the next stages of hatha yoga.

Pranayama

• Pranayama, the control of the breath or vital energy, is the fourth limb of hatha yoga. Basic pranayama is often taught in yoga classes today and is commonly known as breathing exercises. According to "Yoga Journal," yogis believe that pranayama not only rejuvenates the body, but actually extends life itself. The breath is connected to the mind, and as stated in The Hatha Yoga Pradipika, when the mind is calm, the breath is calm, and when the breath is steady, the mind is steady. Therefore, by practicing control of the breath through pranayama, the practitioner gains peace of mind.

Pratyahara

• The fifth limb is withdrawal of the senses, or pratyahara. In this stage of hatha yoga practice, you begin to turn your mind away from external distractions, desires and stresses and focus your energy inward. "This withdrawal allows us to objectively observe our cravings: habits that are perhaps detrimental to our health and which likely interfere with our inner growth," states "Yoga Journal."

Dharana

• Dharana is concentration. As each stage of hatha yoga is perfected, you are lead naturally to this next stage. While practicing the other five limbs of hatha yoga, there are many opportunities and necessities for concentration. Here, with consistent practice of dharana, the skill is refined. Dharana is focusing the mind on one single point and thus conserving energy that is often wasted on thinking many thoughts all at once that crowd and disturb the mind.

Dhyana

• Meditation, or dhyana, naturally proceeds concentration. While focusing the mind on one point, with a body that is strong, breath that is calm and a mind that is clear, meditation automatically follows. According to the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centers, meditation is the state of pure thought and absorption in the object of meditation. In dhyana, the thoughts are said to stop altogether filling the practitioner with a deep sense of joy and bliss.

Samadhi

• Realization, bliss, nirvana or enlightenment. These are all definitions of samadhi. This state of pure consciousness can be experienced after many years of practicing all of the other limbs of hatha yoga, under the guidance of a qualified teacher. The Sivananda Yoga Centers defines samadhi as the super-conscious state. "In samadhi, non-duality or oneness is experienced. This is the deepest and highest state of consciousness where body and mind have been transcended and the Yogi is one with the Self or God."