Hatha yoga sequence for happiness4/9/2024 ![]() However, the harmony of performing an asana spontaneously induces an intuition of the consciousness of the Divine Self. We cultivate an awareness of the Witness Consciousness. We aspire to develop and refine all aspects of the being: the body, mind, intuition, mental clarity, purity of emotions, and our most profound virtues. Our physical body and subtle energies represent divine gifts meant to help us discover the most profound sense of freedom. Rather, they are tools for expanding individual consciousness and, even, for transcending it. In a similar way, our thoughts, desires, passions, and emotions are not obstacles in the way of spiritual awakening to be repressed or eliminated. The physical body is a majestic manifestation of the spirit, not just a mass of dense matter. We see the physical body as a divine instrument designed to enable us to experience the ecstasy of recognizing and glorifying the non-dual, Infinite One, Advaita, in the domain of multiplicity, samsara. ![]() The Role of the Physical Body and Emotions We start and end the yoga practice reminding ourselves that yoga is ultimately a spiritual art and that the revelations which we may have cannot derive from our personal efforts alone, but primarily from the capacity of surrender or letting go of our individual limitations. The asana becomes a mechanism for transformation and spiritual healing, a process of revealing our Divine Nature, not just an “energizing and healthy” exercise. It allows us to completely open our hearts and celebrate life. In this way, our asana practice reflects a positive, life-affirming attitude. When the physical body is positioned in an asana and there are no tensions or unnecessary muscle contractions, we perceive a real “blossoming” of the free flow of energies. We avoid practicing in a dry, mechanical way and seek to awaken the happiness, love, and the clarity generated by the awareness of the present moment. We use the body to allow this happiness to radiate through it, removing tensions, strain, and stress. At Hridaya, we do not focus our attention on performing a spectacular or artistic pose but on awakening and expressing the inner happiness of the Heart. The Spiritual Heart expresses its radiant power of love and happiness in every asana. Yoga-Joy, Relaxation, Celebration, and Surrender Asanas have a devotional aspect as well, because they open us up to our inner guide, which is exactly this tremor. By sublimating energy in spanda, the Sacred Tremor of the Heart, we rediscover the sacred and devotional aspects of Hatha Yoga. Yoga postures are a practice of samyama, a turning off of the mind’s filters to allow an intimate identification with the body, energies, sensations, breath, and higher mind. The awareness of the Spiritual Heart and the attitude of surrender enhance our ability to harmoniously express our personality, improve our ability to focus, and increase our discernment and dynamism. These attitudes are supported and favored by the Hatha Yoga techniques. That is why we do not “teach the asanas.” Instead, we learn meditative attitudes meant to develop our inner sense of freedom. When yoga is practiced mechanically, our starting point is based in the individual will and mind. ![]() The difference between natural yoga based on the free flow of energies and yoga practiced with the only goal being to push energy in certain directions is similar to the difference between the Heart and the mind. Hridaya Hatha Yoga is a natural yoga, a free expression of energy, where everything is done straight from the Heart and with all our heart. Therefore, it is very important to maintain the witnessing attitude, which, through the alchemy of asana practice, leads to the intuition of our True Nature. At Hridaya, Hatha Yoga is practiced to create the state of relaxation and openness needed in order to realize the transfiguration of the body. Even if it, by itself, may not result in spiritual realization, Hatha Yoga can give us a more adequate “starting point” on the spiritual journey. Hatha Yoga practice engenders relaxation and happiness rather than effort or strain. Therefore, a contemplative attitude is indispensable. The practice is oriented towards getting intimate inner knowledge of the physical body and its bio-energies as well as of our Real Nature, the Spiritual Heart. ![]() Asanas are performed while holding the inner spiritual attitudes recommended in the traditional texts of Tantra Yoga and Kashmir Shaivism. In Hridaya Hatha Yoga, the physical postures (asanas) combine with Advaita, the non-dual vision.
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