Asana Practice Philosophy
Hatha yoga is not merely an exercise system nor is it a religion. Like many body-centered practices that originated in Asia such as Tai Chi or Aikido, hatha yoga is an ancient holistic system of health and self-development that begins with the body as a tangible way to affect all apects of our being - physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. From this perspective, the body is viewed as a living temple, as the "container" for the life-force or divine intelligence that animates all living things.
In the yogic view of the human being, we are composed of five Koshas, or "layers" of the body: the Annamaya Kosha (the layer of skin, muscle tissue, and bones), the Pranamaya Kosha (the circulation of breath and life-energy), the Manomaya Kosha (the mental layer, the nervous system), the Vijanamaya Kosha (the wisdom self, higher states of consciousness) and the Anandamaya Kosha (the "body of bliss", the innermost subtle core of the self).
Hatha yoga practice is a movement from the outermost layers to the more subtle interior core. In the beginning of practicing yoga, the primary focus is upon the outermost layer of the body, or the annamaya kosha. This long and rewarding process of opening, strengthening and aligning the physical structures of the body clears the channels or "nadis" of the body for enhanced flow of prana. The pranamaya kosha is a more subtle layer concerned with the flow of breath and the circulation of life-energy. Throughout your practice, deep and slow breathing increases your life-energy and positively affects your mind, body, and spirit. Hatha yoga influences the mental layer by both calming the wandering tendencies of the mind (known as "vrtti" ) and by awakening a more embodied intelligence throughout the body.
The last two layers are the most subtle experiences of our selves. When we are in the wisdom layer of the self we experience a deeper knowing, communion, and insight into our essential nature and the world. The very core of our self is the experience of freedeom (moksha), peace (shanti) and estastic union (samadhi).
Whether we touch these layers in the beginning or not, it is helpful to know that the practice is ultimately directed toward these deeper layers. In other words, don't despair over your tight hamstrings - eventually, with patience, these too shall transform into a place where you can abide in peace!
