Yoga resources and quick summary

Gheranda Samhita
Last Updated: May 5, 2018

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gheranda_Samhita

Definition - What does Gheranda Samhita mean?

"Gheranda Samhita," or "Gheranda's Collection," is one of three important texts on classic Hatha
yoga, along with the "Hatha Yoga Pradipika" and the "Shiva Samhita." It was written in Sanskrit in
the late 17th century and is sometimes considered to be the most comprehensive of the three texts
as it forms a manual for yoga.
The text is divided into seven chapters with each chapter corresponding to a different part of the
journey of yoga. It is focused on the shatkarmas and differs in a few respects from the path of yoga
that is described by Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras.

Yogapedia explains Gheranda Samhita

The seven chapters of "Gheranda Samhita" follow the sevenfold path of yoga, which was taught by
the sage Gheranda to his student, Chanda Kapali. These seven are:

1. Purification through Shatkarma - includes six cleansing techniques

2. Strengthening through Asana - includes 32 postures
3. Steadying through Mudra - includes 25 mudras (gestures)
4. Calming through Pratyahara - includes five concentration techniques
5. Lightness through Pranayama - includes 10 breathing techniques
6. Perception through Dhyana - dedicated to meditation
7. Isolation through Samadhi - uses different methods than those Patanjali teaches

Although there are only 32 postures in "Gheranda Samhita," Gheranda explains that there are as
many asanas as there are species on the planet, but there are only 84 root asanas. It is stated that it
is essential to include at least one inversion in every daily practice of yoga. In general, however, the
Hatha yoga described in "Gheranda Samhita" is more seated and meditative than what is most
commonly practiced as Hatha yoga today. In fact, tree pose (vrksasana) is the only standing posture
mentioned.

Shiva Samhita
Last Updated: May 5, 2018

Definition - What does Shiva Samhita mean?

The "Shiva Samhita" is an ancient Sanskrit text about yoga. The name translates to English as
"Shiva's Compendium."
The author of this text is unknown and the date of its writing is disputed. The most recent
examinations have concluded that it was probably written before 1500 C.E. in or around the city of
Varanasi, which is known as the spiritual capital of India.

Yogapedia explains Shiva Samhita

The "Shiva Samhita" is written from the point of view of the Hindu god, Shiva, writing to his consort,
Parvati, and is one of the oldest surviving texts based on Hatha yoga. It is regarded as being the
most complete set of writings on Hatha yoga.

Eighty-four asanas are mentioned in the text, although only four of them are written down in detail. It
also covers five types of prana and subjects such as meditation, Tantra, mudras and yogic
philosophy.

Hatha Yoga Pradipika

Last Updated: April 11, 2016
Hatha Yoga Pradipika: a quick summary

The Hatha Yoga Pradipika is regarded as one of the three classic Yogic texts along with the
Gheranda Samhita and the Shiva Samhita. This 15th century text was written by Swami
Svatmarama, and is said to be the oldest surviving text about Hatha Yoga. This text has been
translated into many languages, including English.

Chapter 1 In the first chapter he talks about previous yoga masters and lists names and
descriptions of yoga postures. He describes how a yogi should eat, how much, and what foods.
He also gives cautions that should be avoided if one wants to have a successful yoga practice.
And lists what will bring success to a yoga practice (I love this) including: enthusiasm, courage,
perseverance, proper understanding, determination and avoiding excessive contact with people.
He says anyone can practice yoga and that everyone needs to work on eliminating laziness!
“Success in Yoga is not merely achieved by reading authentic texts, wearing particular clothing,
nor engaging in endless debate. Practice alone is what brings success culminating in the final
goal of Raja Yoga” (1.66-1.69).

Chapter 2 In this chapter more asanas are described and as are techniques for ridding the body of
certain injures and illness. He focuses a ton of pranayama (breathing exercises) and the effect
breath has on the mind and the nadis. He explains how disturbances in the mind may be related
to disturbances in the breath and learning to control the breath will bring steadiness to the mind
as well as heal the body. He says the main reasons to practice pranayama 1. Get rid of the fear of
death. 2. Purify the nadis. 3. Open the sushumna. He also talks about the six karmas,
khumbhakasa and bandhas. “By proper practice of Pranayama, all disease are eradicated, but an
improper practice gives rise to all sorts of disease." (2.15-16)
Chapter 3 Here he discusses various mudras which affect various parts of the body, and are
meant to prevent disease and delay old age. Many of these exercises have symbolic as well as
physical importance. These mudras are a way of focusing the mind and body. He talks a lot
about kundalini and says that the main purpose for practicing the 10 mudras is to awaken the
kundalini.

Chapter 4, This chapter discusses Samadhi and he gives us three definitions of Samadhi: 1)
"When the Atma and mind become one"; 2) "when the prana becomes dissolved and the mind
becomes absorbed"; and finally 3) "when al impulses to be anything just cease and there is the
equality and oneness of self and super-self". (4.5 - 4.7). He continues to talk about kundali,
gives more pranayama exercises, and explains the four stages of greater integration.

Definition - What does Hatha Yoga Pradipika mean?

Written in the 15th century by Swami Svatmarama, the "Hatha Yoga Pradipika" is the oldest
surviving manual of Hatha yoga and one of the three most important texts about the discipline. The
other two influential texts are "Gheranda Samhita" and "Shiva Samhita."
In Sanskrit, the pradipika means "light," "lamp," or "to illuminate." Because this text sheds light on
the Hatha yoga practice, it is called "Hatha Yoga Pradipika."
Swami Svatmarama was the disciple of Guru Gorakhnath, who is considered the maha yogi, or the
"great yogi." Gorakhnath is supposedly the student of Matsyendra, the original yogi who took his
lessons directly from Lord Shiva.

Yogapedia explains Hatha Yoga Pradipika

"Hatha Yoga Pradipika" is an elaborate presentation of practical guidelines for Hatha yoga, intended
to lead the practitioner from awareness of the body to awareness of the Self. The techniques of
Hatha yoga explained in the text are meant to guide the practitioner toward Self-realization, which, in
turn, leads to enlightenment.
"Hatha Yoga Pradipika" contains four chapters:

1. Asana: Contains detailed information on the names of asanas, how to perform them, and
what kind of diet will enhance the benefits of their practice.
2. Pranayama: Explains various breathing techniques and their health benefits. This chapter
also talks about the practice of shatkarma, the six purification techniques that cleanse the
body and are essential to preparing for yogic practice.
3. Mudras and Bandhas: Explains the mudras (gestures) and bandhas (locks) that aid in
awakening kundalini power, which leads to enlightenment.
4. Samadhi: Describes techniques that lead to enlightenment and eternal bliss.

Swami Svatmarama says that practicing Hatha yoga with the right attitude will help the practitioner
attain siddhis (spiritual powers), such as clairvoyance. A practitioner who reaches this stage of
samadhi cannot be overpowered.
"Hatha Yoga Pradipika" serves as the basis for various modern books on the practice of Hatha yoga.
It is an excellent guide to advancing in yoga practice and spirituality.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hatha_Yoga_P
radipika
https://www.mobilewiki.org/en/Hatha_Yoga
_Pradipika-0062206224

Hatha Yoga
Last Updated: September 14, 2020

Definition - What does Hatha Yoga mean?

Hatha yoga is a branch of yoga primarily concerned with mastery of the body, and it is arguably the
tradition most familiar to Western culture. The term is derived from the Sanskrit ha, meaning "sun,"
and tha, meaning "moon," leading to the common interpretation that Hatha practices are designed to
unite and balance these two energies. However, the literal translation of Hatha is "force," alluding to
the physical techniques used within this tradition.
Traditionally, Hatha yoga offered a total life philosophy, incorporating how we relate to external and
internal experience as a path to inner peace. One of the most prominent ancient texts on Hatha yoga
is Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, a series of 196 aphorisms written in Sanskrit around 400 AD.
Patanjali describes Hatha yoga as an eightfold path, consisting of eight mind-body disciplines to be
mastered. All other physical practices of yoga such as Vinyasa, Ashtanga and Iyengar stemmed
from the Hatha yoga tradition.

Yogapedia explains Hatha Yoga

Originally an ascetic tradition, Hatha yoga has been practiced for thousands of years. With origins
that can be traced back as far as the Sanskrit epics (Hinduism) and the Pali canon (Buddhism), the
tradition emerged on the borders of India and Nepal.
Ancient Hatha yogis lived as renunciates, engaging in the disciplines of Hatha yoga as a means of
self-experimentation. Hindu concepts such as reincarnation and karma were central to their thinking.
In modern terms, Hatha yoga has become associated solely with a physical practice, typically
involving a sequence of asana (yoga postures) and pranayama (breathing techniques).
In this sense, Hatha yoga is generally practiced more slowly and with more static posture holds than
found in styles such as Ashtanga or Vinyasa. However, the tradition of Hatha yoga encompasses
much more than the physical practice which has become popular today.
According to Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, the eight limbs of the path of Hatha yoga are:
1. Yamas - Five social observances: ahimsa (non-violence), satya (truthfulness) asteya (non-
stealing), brahmacharya (chastity) and aparigraha (non-possessiveness).
2. Niyamas - Five moral observances: saucha (purity), santosha (contentment), tapas (self-
discipline), svadhyaya (self-study), ishvarapranidhana (devotion or surrender).
 3. Asana - Yoga postures.
4. Pranayama - Breathing techniques as a means of controlling prana (vital life force energy).
5. Pratyahara - Withdrawal of the senses.
6. Dharana - Concentration.
7. Dhyana - Meditation.
8. Samadhi - Enlightenment or bliss.
These eight limbs offer a systematic approach to calming the mind and finding liberation from
suffering. Although the practice manifests itself as physical strength, physiological health and
emotional well-being, the ultimate goal of Hatha yoga is to transcend identification with the body-
mind-intellect complex in order to understand the nature of the true self.

Who is Patanjali: An Introduction to the

Father of Yoga
  

Aimee Hughes | March 8, 2019 | Updated: March 11, 2019

 Source: IgorChus/iStock

Takeaway: Patanjali was a great spiritual teacher whose Spirit lives on today through the beloved
Yoga Sutras.

Do you know about Patanjali, the great Indian sage and author of one of the most beloved
compilation of yoga verses?
I discovered Patanjali rather organically. The more I studied and practiced yoga, the more his name
kept popping up. Finally, I began reading the Yoga Sutras, and came to love and cherish its 195
aphorisms. In this article, we’ll take a look at who Patanjali was, and what he aimed to teach us by
writing the revered Yoga Sutras.

Who is Patanjali?
Patanjali is an Indian sage who lived a long, long time ago. His life, and the time frame within which
he lived, remain a mystery. He’s most famous for being the author of the popular Yoga Sutras, often
referred to as The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. Yoga scholars believe he wrote the Yoga Sutras 1,700
years ago, although the yogic texts may be even more ancient than that.

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Father of the Yoga Sutras

Have you heard of the famous Yoga Sutras Patanjali penned? Perhaps you’ve read about them or
even dedicated yourself to a full-fledged dive into studying them. Maybe one of your yoga teachers
takes quotes from the Yoga Sutras to theme her yoga classes from time to time. If you’ve been
practicing yoga for awhile, you may have heard Patanjali’s name, and you might have heard of the
Yoga Sutras, but beyond that, maybe you’d like to know more.

What do Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras Teach us?

Getting to know Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras on an intimate level will no doubt lead you down the path
of self-realization. In his yoga sutras, Patanjali explains the eight limbs of yoga, while also laying out
a route for becoming a self-realized person. (Learn more in A Journey Through the 8 Limbs of
Yoga.)
Patanjali wanted us all to study the Yoga Sutras daily. He wanted us to put them into practice in our
everyday lives. He hoped we’d follow the yamas and niyamas---the ethical means of living a good
life.

Patanjali also wanted us to have a daily sadhana. According to Patanjali, through a daily practice of
asana, pranayama, meditation, and study of the Yoga Sutras, we could all cultivate a true knowing of
our infinite Selves, and live a fuller, deeper, and more self-aware life.
By evolving through each step of a daily practice, or sadhana, which includes cleansing the physical
body through yoga and pranayama, turning our attention inward (through pratyahara), and
possessing a deep inner focus and concentration by meditating (dharana), Patanjali believed we
could all achieve the state of Samadhi, or absolute Oneness with the Divine.
While Patanjali clearly explained that reaching this state of Samadhi could take several
reincarnations, his Yoga Sutras help us expedite the process. We can thank Patanjali for paving a
clear path for those of us who wish to attain enlightenment.
The beauty of Patanjali’s great work is that it really speaks to anyone and everyone who seek a
spiritual life. It’s not immersed within the Hindu religion, where deities and myths play starring roles.
His discourse is accessible and practical. It offers us actual steps and practices for spiritual growth.
This is probably why it’s such a classic. It remains pertinent even (if not especially) today. The
timeless teachings are filled with great wisdom, knowledge, and Spirit. (Learn more in Yogas Chitta
Vritti Nirodha: Patanjali's Definition of Yoga, Explained.)

Who is the Real Patanjali?

Most scholars say Patanjali lived in the 2nd or 5th century C.E. While he’s no doubt most famous for
The Yoga Sutras, he may also have been an expert on Ayurveda and Sanskrit.
Because little is known about the man Patanjali, and much more is known about his great work, it’s
difficult to know who he really was. His birth is surrounded by mythical stories. One such story has
him falling from the heavensin the form of a snake, a reincarnation of a mythical serpent king.

Other tales surrounding the figure say there was more than one Patanjali. This further confuses
matters. What’s known is that, like most spiritual sages of his time, the true Patanjali need not take
credit for his work, unlike the limelight-lovin’ yogis of today.
Patanjali knew it was his work, not his personality, that need be passed on and spread to the
masses. For this reason, his life story remains rather anonymous, as is the case with many ancient
sages.
They all understood their work was ultimately the work of many. No one person can take all the
credit for an ancient lineage and thousands of years of wisdom embedded within yogic texts.

What we Know for Sure About Patanjali

What we know for sure about Patanjali is that he really wanted to make these wisdom teachings
accessible to all. He wanted laypeople to know and understand what he believed to be the true
teachings of yoga, and the path to enlightenment these teachings embody. Patanjali was a great
spiritual teacher whose Spirit lives on today through the beloved Yoga Sutras.