"Yoga is a vast science which is not comparable to any other because it is a revealed wisdom received by saints and sages who were in direct communication with the Supreme through higher states of meditation. Yoga is, furthermore, a complete system which encompasses all levels of manifest existence from the spiritual to the material. Finally, yoga is the only science which has as its ultimate goal the total happiness of human beings."

Yogiraj Behramji [Behram Guard]     

In his book, Yogasana for Health, published in 1989, Yogiraj Behramji described the benefits, as well as the history, of yoga as follows:

"Hatha Yoga is traditionally a necessary preparation for higher practices of meditation in which the mind, the emotions, and the subtle energy curents of the body are brought under complete control. According to the ancient texts, Hatha Yoga is designed to produce three things:

A body that is calm and steady and fit for the practice of meditation;

Superb health and freedom from maladies, so that the mind is not agitated by aches and pains or ailments of any kind;

Lightness of limb, both a physical feeling of vitality, exhilaration and bouyancy, and a lightness of the spirit in that the mind becomes joyful, peaceful, and compassionate, free from depressions and negative emotions.

By practicing Hatha Yoga the body, then, is brought to fullest health, purified, and made free from disease. By improving vitality and gaining radiant health, an aspirant is allowed to divert his energies to attain the final goal of enlightenment.

Two texts have been of paramount importance in the history of Hatha yoga science. One is the . . . Yoga Sutras of Patanjali (2nd Century, B.C.), and the other is the Hathayogapradipika of Svatmarama (about 1,500 A.D.); and though they are separated in time by over 16 centuries, the systematic disciplining of the body so as to free the mind has from very early times seemed to be a part of yoga practice. When Alexander the Great invaded India in 326 B.C., he was greatly impressed by the wisdom of the yogis and referred to them as "gymnosophists", or "naked philosophers."

Excavations from the ruins of Mohenjodaro and Harappa (over 2,000 B.C.) in the Indus Valley have uncovered seals on which are impressions depicting Hatha Yoga postures, although to guage the exact date of Hatha Yoga's beginning is impossible. Tradition placed its beginning eons ago as a divine gift to mankind.

The word "hatha" has many meanings; but for our understanding here, it is sufficient to know that the word comprises two syllables: "ha" and "tha." The word "ha" represents the sun, and "tha" represents the moon. As one can easily see by standing before a mirror, the body is divided into two vertical half sections with the central line extending from between the eyebrows to below the navel. The right half of the body is the solar side and is controlled by a subtle nerve channel called pingala nadi. It represents the male and heat, and is positive and active. The left half of the body is the lunar side and is controlled by ida nadi. It represents the female and coolness, and is the negative, more passive side. The word "yoga" can, along with its other significances, mean the union of these two halves of the body through the practice of ha-tha. When these two polar forces unite, the form a perfect body with the coordinated halves under complete control. Through the practice of hatha one can maintain balance, perfect health, clarify of mind, and then slowly progress to further developments of breath refinement and control of the mind.

Because Hatha Yoga is often thought of as just the practice of yoga postures and breathing exercises, or of merely the postures alone, it has unfortunately led to the practice of the more physical aspects of Hatha Yoga for health, suppleness, and beauty, to the exclusion of one's attitudes and behavior in life. This is contrary to the yogic principle which states that things progress from the fine to the gross. Lasting benefits in yoga practice can only come about when the mind is made tranquil, which is in turn dependent upn a balanced lifestyle that is in harmony with all creation."

See Hathayogapradipika, Sutra 17, and Svetasvatara Upanishad, 11:13.

Two other texts of importance in Hatha Yoga are the Gheranda Samhita (the Compendium by Gheranda) and the Siva Samhita (Siva's Compendium).