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The Haṭha Vidyā Journal
Reflections on āsana, prāṇāyāma, dhyāna and yogic living — rooted in tradition, guided by lineage, offered with humility.
Yoga Philosophy


Śivapañcākṣarīstotram: The Five-Syllable Mantra of Lord Shiva
The Śivapañcākṣarīstotram, also known as the Panchakshari Stotram, is a powerful mantra dedicated to Lord Shiva, one of the principal deities in Hinduism. The mantra consists of five syllables: "Om Namah Shivaya". It is considered to be one of the most potent and sacred mantras, capable of bringing about profound spiritual and material benefits to those who chant it with devotion and sincerity. The Meaning of the Mantra The five syllables of the mantra have deep spiritual sig
Haṭha Vidyā Team
2 min read


From Physical to Divine: The Journey from Hatha to Raja Yoga
The verse mentioned in Hatha Yoga Prdipika, "Hatham vina rajayogo rajayogam vina hathah," succinctly captures the inseparable relationship between Hatha Yoga and Raja Yoga. Although both are seen as different paths, in practice these are inevitable parts of the yogic journey of self-discovery. Hatha Yoga: Beyond physical aspects There are numerous types of yoga practices performed by people across the globe. If we observe them closely, most of them stem from the Hatha Yogic
Haṭha Vidyā Team
3 min read


Hatha Pradipika: A Guide to Yoga Practitioners
Hatha Pradipika is a seminal text on Hatha Yoga written by Yogi Svatmarama in the 14th century. It extensively details the techniques and methods of Yogic practices. The text is structured according to the Natha tradition clearly and lucidly to do away with the confusion surrounding the yogic practices during the time. Even after centuries of being written, it still holds its importance due to its timeless wisdom and applications. Salient features of Hatha Pradipika Hatha Pra
Haṭha Vidyā Team
3 min read


Schools of Yoga: A Brief Introduction
Since the adoption of International Yoga Day by the UN General Assembly, the popularity of this ancient practice has increased multifold, resulting in the mushrooming of yoga centers in every nook and corner of the world. However, with its augmented fame and acceptance, it is being increasingly misinterpreted and misunderstood. Understanding the real meaning and purpose of yoga is the need of the hour. To delve deeper into this, we should acquaint ourselves with different
Haṭha Vidyā Team
2 min read


The Importance of Self-Understanding in Yoga
Even a single verse of an important yogic text contains profound knowledge condensed in a short form that can be interpreted and understood only by masters of great knowledge. In this blog, let’s explore such a meaningfully rich verse from the text Goraksha Paddhati. “Ekastambham navadhvaram grham panchadidaivatam svadeham ye na janati katham sidhyanti yoginah” “How can those yogins who do not know their own body as a single-columned dwelling with nine openings and five tute
Haṭha Vidyā Team
2 min read


Yoga: In the Light of Goraksha Paddhati
Goraksha Paddhati by Sage Goraksha is a traditional yogic text that explains the fundamental Hatha yogic principles in the Natha tradition. The word "Paddhati" itself means "systematic plan," highlighting the text's practical nature. This comprehensive manual serves as a guide for Hatha Yoga practitioners, offering a clear path toward the ultimate goal of liberation. This text is suggested for advanced practitioners, covering important and higher practices with no mention of
Haṭha Vidyā Team
3 min read

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