The History of Hatha Yoga

The origin of hatha yoga

The word hatha yoga is a Sanskrit word introduced by the sage, Yogi Swatmarama, in India, in the fifteenth century. It is also known as hatha vidya. It is the physical preparation that makes the body fit for higher meditation. (1)

The science of hatha yoga is derived from the word ha, referring to the sun and the word tha, which represents the moon. Placed together, they mean forceful. Yoga, as the yoke, joins the sun (masculine, active) energy and the moon (feminine, receptive) energy together. This is believed to create balance and increase one's power. (2) 

While the text for hatha yoga is Hatha Yoga Pradipika, which relates the yogic experiences of Yogi Swatmarama, it is originally considered to be derived from older Sanskrit texts. (3)

Historically, it is suggested that Lord Shiva, gave the knowledge of hatha yoga to Goddess Parvati, on a deserted island. A fish, by the name of Matsya, heard the discourse, although no one was supposed to be listening. Lord Shiva made him into a Sidddha, called Matsyendranaatha. In turn, he taught hatha yoga to a limbless man, by the name of Chaurangi, who received new limbs when the Siddha looked at him. In turn, he went on to teach others. (4)

More modern schools have risen from the teachings of Sri Tirumalai Krishnamacharya, a man who taught hatha yoga, from 1924 to 1989. It is understood that his students brought hatha yoga into the western world. Another teacher was Swami Sivananda (1887-1963). (5)

More traditionally, hatha yoga is a holistic practice with moral discipline, physical exercises and meditation. 

In the west, it is the physical exercises called postures or asanas that are practiced, in conjunction with meditation. The postures teach poise, balance and strength and help to improve one's physical strength. They are used to clear the mind of one who is preparing for higher levels of meditation, which then lead to enlightenment. (6) 

Some schools teach that hatha yoga has only six limbs, unlike other schools of thought that teach eight limbs. (7)

While this is a condensed version of the history of hatha yoga, it gives a brief introduction of this practice into our western world.

(1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hatha_yoga

(2) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hatha_yoga#Origins 

(3) Ibid.

(4) Ibid.

(5) Ibid.

(6) Ibid.

(7) Ibid.