Hatha-yoga

Yoga is an ancient practice, the knowledge about which has been retained in the traditional Eastern cultures. It is the practice of self-cultivation that harmonizes and strengthens the man on all his levels - from body to his consciousness and it's subtle energetic components. There are several directions in Yoga - some of them have closer connection with the religion, sacred writings and rites, others - solely with more practical methods that are referred to the transformation and development of the physical and spectral body of the practitioner, his consciousness, intuition and sense enhancement, his ability to live and effectively interact with the outside world in accordance with the laws of the Universe, normally unseen by a standard individual.

Hatha Yoga belongs to the latter direction. It is a system, that according to the tradition was gifted by Lord Shiva and was developed by the ancient Indian mahasiddhas (yogis that achieved miraculous abilities and reached Samadhi) like Matsyendranath, Gorokhonath and many others. The magic art of Hatha Yoga is particularly valued for it's ability to be effectively and independly used at any given moment without being anchored to the cultural and social aspects of our contemporary life.

Nowadays Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga is one of the most powerful and effective systems of Hatha Yoga known, the tradition of which is being kept by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, the head of the yoga school in Mysore, South India.

Ashtanga-Vinyasa Yoga is a combination of the static and dynamic components of the practice: it includes the sequences of asanas and the synchronized movement transitions, called Vinyasas, that link asanas with each other and are being practiced together with a number of techniques - Pranayama (special method of breathing), Bandhas (energy locks) and Drishti (use of the special spots for accumulation of attention and control). While performing this techniques a special meditative state of consciousness (Dhyana) emerges, which continues through the whole practice.

The word "vinyasa" can be translated as "a synchronized breath/movement exercising system". When tying up the movement with the breath by using special ujjayi pranayama type breathing and executing energetic seals (mula, uddiyana and jalandhara bandhas), a strong "internal fire" begins to emerge in the body making it heavily sweat. All this creates the process of rejuvenation of the muscles and the internal organs, as well as cleansing the body from the toxins. Vinyasa balances the rhythm of the breath and keeps the blood circulated all over the body. As a result of it the practitioner begins to feel the strength and lightness in the body, his breath becomes smooth and his mind turns into quietness.

Traditionally this approach is called Yoga Mala (on the Sanskrit language "mala" means "wreath", "chaplet"). Yoga Mala is the wreath of Yoga, where asanas are woven on the thread of breath. The practice of asanas, as closely linked in the continual sequences of poses, generates an effective method of accumulating the energy within the body structure, which contributes to the psycho-energetic transformation of the mind and body and broadens the scope of sense perception.

There are a few key asanas and vinyasas in each set of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga, that challenge the Power of Spirit of the practitioner. The straight-out necessity to challenge yourself daily and overcome your own weaknesses make you build up the Power of Spirit, impart your confidence and transform the body and consciousness.