# Hatha Yoga

HATHA YOGA
or
THE YOGI PHILOSOPHY OF
PHYSICAL WELL-BEING
WITH NUMEROUS EXERCISES, ETC.
By YOGI RAMACHARAKA
Author of "Science of Breath," "Yogi Philosophy and Oriental Occultism," "Advanced Course," Etc.
LONDON: L. N. FOWLER & Co. LTD. 15 NEW BRIDGE STREET, E.C.4
PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN
BY A. WHEATON & CO. EXETER
TABLE OF CONTENTS
* CHAP.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................PAGE
* I.What is Hatha Yoga? ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................9
* II.The Yogis' Regard for the Physical Body ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................16
* III.The Work of the Divine Architect ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................20
* IV.Our Friend, The Vital Force ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................24
* V.The Laboratory of the Body ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................30
* VI.The Life Fluid ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................42
* VII.The Crematory of the System ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................46
* VIII.Nourishment ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................52
* IX.Hunger vs. Appetite ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................56
* X.Prana Absorption from Food ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................62
* XI.About Food ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................73
* XII.The Irrigation of the Body ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................78
* XIII.The Ashes of the System ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................91
* XIV.Yogi Breathing ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................104
* XV.Effect of Correct Breathing ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................118
* XVI.Breathing Exercises ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................122
* XVII.Nostril Breathing vs. Mouth Breathing ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................132
* XVIII.The Little Lives of the Body ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................137
* XIX.Control of the Involuntary System ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................148
* XX.Pranic Energy ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................155
* XXI.Pranic Exercises ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................166
* XXII.Science of Relaxation ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................176
* XXIII.Rules for Relaxation ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................184
* XXIV.Use of Physical Exercise ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................197
* XXV.Yogi Physical Exercise ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................203
* XXVI. The Yogi Bath ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................213
* XXVII.The Solar Energy ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................223
* XXVIII. Fresh Air ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................229
* XXIX.Nature's Sweet Restorer—Sleep ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................233
* XXX.Regeneration ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................238
* XXXI. The Mental Attitude ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................245
* XXXII. Led by the Spirit ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................250
PUBLISHERS' NOTICE
Our original intention, when we arranged for the publication of this book, and, in fact, almost up until it went to press, was that it should be, in a measure, supplementary to our little book, "Science of Breath" by the same author—that is to say, it should take up the subject of "Hatha Yoga" with the exception of that phase of the subject (breathing, etc.) which has been covered in that book. But at the last moment we decided that it would be a mistake to publish a book on "Hatha Yoga" with such an important part of the subject as Yogi Breathing omitted, even though that subject had been covered in another book. To omit that important phase of the subject would be working an injustice to those who purchased the new book, as many of such purchasers would never have read the first book, and would be justified in expecting that the present book would treat of all phases of the general subject. So we decided to incorporate in the present volume those parts of "Science of Breath" which belonged strictly to the subject of "Hatha Yoga," omitting such portions as belonged rather to the other branch of the Yogi Philosophy, i.e., Raja Yoga. We mention these facts that the purchasers of this book, who have also read our former book, might not accuse us of filling a new book with parts of an old one. We advertised this book, intending to give only the supplemental parts, as above stated, and the portions of "Science of Breath," which have been added thereto, have been inserted at our own expense, and in the nature of "good measure," or the "baker's dozen."
​It is probable that, at some future time, we will make arrangements with the same author to take up the "Raja Yoga" portions of "Science of Breath," and to amplify and enlarge upon same, adding to the foundation already built, just as he has done in the present book upon the "Hatha Yoga" foundation contained in the little book first published by us. If this course is followed, the present book, "Hatha Yoga," will be the first of a series of "Yogi Books," taking up, in succession, the different phases of the great Yogi Philosophy, the little book "Science of Breath" serving as an introduction to the series, and as a handy little book for beginners, or those just becoming interested in the subject.
"Hatha Yoga," the present book, deals altogether with the physical. The psychical, mental and spiritual phases of the subject belong to the other branches of the work. "Hatha Yoga," however, will be a splendid foundation upon which the student may build, as a sound, strong, healthy body is necessary for one to do his best work and study, as the author of this book has so well explained in the text.
We have asked the author to write a preface to this book, but this he declines to do, as he feels that the book should speak for itself, and he does not like the idea of (as he expresses it) "intruding his personality" upon his readers, holding that truth should be self-evident and needing no personal touch to make it truth. This notice, therefore, will take the place of a preface in this case.
TO THE HEALTHY MAN AND WOMAN THIS BOOK IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED.
THEY HAVE DONE CERTAIN THINGS (CONSCIOUSLY OR SUB- CONSCIOUSLY) IN ORDER TO BRING THEMSELVES FROM IN- FANCY TO HEALTHY, NORMAL MATURITY, AND IF YOU (WHO MAY NOT BE SO HEALTHY AND NORMAL) WILL DO JUST THESE SAME THINGS, THERE IS NO REASON WHY YOU, TOO, SHOULD NOT BE JUST AS ARE THEY. AND THIS LITTLE BOOK IS OUR ATTEMPT TO TELL YOU JUST WHAT THIS HEALTHY MAN AND WOMAN DID IN ORDER TO BE JUST WHAT THEY ARE.
READ IT, AND THEN GO AND DO LIKEWISE SO FAR AS YOU ARE ABLE.
IF YOU DOUBT THE TRUTH OF OUR STATEMENTS, FIND SOME HEALTHY MAN OR WOMAN, AND WATCH HIM, OR HER, CLOSELY, AND SEE WHETHER HE, OR SHE, DOES NOT DO THE THINGS WE HAVE POINTED OUT TO YOU TO DO IN THIS BOOK AND WHETHER HE, OR SHE, DOES NOT LEAVE UNDONE THE THINGS WE HAVE ASKED YOU TO AVOID. WE ARE WILLING TO SUB- MIT OUR TEACHINGS TO THIS SEVERE — TEST — APPLY IT. —