Hatha YogaHinduismThis article is about the practice of Hatha Yoga coming from Hinduism. Hatha Yoga focuses on asanas, postures and exercises, breathing techniques and pranayama to improve physical and mental health. Word Count: 744 This article is about the practice of Hatha Yoga of Hinduism. Hinduism is a religion that focuses on the physical and mental. The physical part of Hinduism is done through the use of yoga. There are many types of yoga and many different forms of yoga. “Hatha Yoga is one of the many paths that lead to the ultimate goal of Raja Yoga, the contemplation of the One Reality” (Hatha Yoga). There are two categories of students who study yoga. There is theoretical yoga, where all students study the theory behind yoga, and theory-cum-practice yoga, where students study the theory and then put it into practice. Hatha Yoga brings together theory and practice. Hatha Yoga is one of the four main traditions of Tantra Yoga. Ha translated means sun and tha means moon. So Hatha Yoga is a form of yoga that unites opposites. Hatha Yoga seeks to balance the mind and body through postures and exercises. Hatha Yoga focuses on postures, also known as asanas; and breath control, pranayama, to energize the body. Asanas are the first and most important part of Hatha Yoga. Asanas train the body to become balanced, to have balance and to increase both physical and mental strength. Asanas can help improve physical health but are primarily used to clear the mind to prepare for meditation. Asanas are positions that can be held for a long time and yet are comfortable, perfect for meditation. For example, one Swastika asana pose involves keeping both hands under your thighs and sitting with your back straight. A… central part of the paper… should be “plastered with cow dung” but “free of insects, dirt and grime.” Svatmarama states that six causes bring quick success to Hatha Yoga. They are courage, boldness, faith, perseverance, discriminating knowledge and detachment from company. These six causes enable the yogi, a practitioner of (any) yoga, to be more successful in performing Hatha Yoga to reach a meditative state and become part of Brahman, the ultimate goal of all Hindus. Detachment from company could mean remaining alone or ignoring all the unnecessary distractions of life and focusing only on attaining Brahman. Works Cited Hatha Yoga. nd 25 01 2014. .Marchand, Peter. Hatha Yoga. nd 25 01 2014. .Svatmarama, Yogi. Hatha Yoga Pradipika. nd.