yoga magazine SoulofhathayogaTom Kelly EN

Hatha yoga prepares our physical vehicles for spiritual growth; disciplines the body to promote spiritual peace; and produces good health. Since hatha yoga is a metaphysical practice that takes the form of physical exercises, it is necessary to concentrate the mind on the activity in order to reap the fullest benefit. It is not just the flexing of muscles, but the inner power of concentration to awaken and redirect the life force, which gives the body strength.

The yogi’s hatha yoga mat is the battlefield where one regularly and passionately fights the battle between the lower and higher natures. The Sufi mystic Rumi explains:
“A man was breaking up the soil, when another man came by, ‘Why are you ruining this land?’ ‘Don’t be a fool! Nothing can grow until the ground is turned over and crumbled. There can be no roses and no orchard without first this that looks devastating. You must lance an ulcer to heal it. You must tear down parts of an old building to restore it, and so it is with a sensual life that has no spirit in it. To change, a person must face the dragon of his appetites with another dragon, the life-energy of the soul.”

The yogi’s hatha yoga mat is also a magic carpet in which the consciousness can disassociate from all physical, mental and emotional limitations and be transported into the realm of light and love. How can something like this be possible when doing such a physical practice? Iyengar once said that the high point from our last practice should be the starting point for our next practice. We must bring everything we are to the yoga mat—mindfulness, worries and fears, dedication, positive feeling, negative feelings, spiritual desire or even a “dry as toast” consciousness. Hatha yoga is a chance to process life, to burn up toxins, negativity, karma and to set the course of our hearts and minds in the right direction--Godward.

It is so important to practice with a positive attitude. Willingness and faith bring in fresh supplies of energy. The real “power yoga” is to practice with an attitude of receptivity and humility. Socrates once said: “All I know is that I know nothing.”

The Power of Perseverance
Our ideas about yoga and transformation can be major stumbling blocks to our spiritual progress. These ideas take the form of expectations. The yogic journey has a start but no ending—it continues until we are liberated in Spirit. The most powerful transformations that I have noticed in the lives of yogis over many years are the result of the practice and observance of one quality—perseverance.

Perseverance is the key to spiritual success. Our efforts alone will never get us to the door of Divine Presence. Our efforts do one thing—bring divine grace. It is this grace that keeps us showing up to one yoga class after another; it is grace that burns up our past bad karma; it is grace that will permanently remove our bad habits; and it is grace that will someday pick us up and put us on the lap of Divine Love. Have no expectations and do not take the ups and downs of day-to-day spiritual living too seriously. Remember, a lifetime of sincere, humble effort will always bring divine grace.

Our mortal consciousness is like a mustard seed compared to infinite consciousness. Hatha yoga practice is an attempt to wake up from the sleep of delusion. Think of it as being wheeled into the emergency room so our guides, teachers, angels and gurus can give us divine CPR and resuscitate our hearts to their original state of natural love for God and others. It is okay to admit the fact that we are part of the group called “delusion anonymous” or “delusionolics”. The “drying out” period for each spiritual seeker is different. We cannot compare our journeys; all we can do is support one another. In every yoga class we are admitting ourselves into a clinic—not the Betty Ford clinic of course, but a Guatama Buddha clinic; a Bhagavan Krishna clinic; a Jesus Christ clinic; a Paramahansa Yogananda clinic—you choose which aspect of Divinity you are checking into. The important thing is to choose. And the wise thing is to trust, love and cling to your aspect of Source with everything you have, and never let go – never!

Every asana practice correctly recharges the body with cosmic energy, the mind with peace, the heart with love and the soul with Spirit contact. The yogi realizes that the body is a manifestation of the ever-youthful spirit; so by concentrating on Source primarily and then by uniting breath, mind and positive feeling secondarily, a state of equilibrium and balance is reached in the physical body. The human body craves two things – prana and love. Both are administered in large doses in a soul-centered hatha yoga class. Resistance is met with surrender; tightness with patience; restlessness with peace; lethargy with will power; negativity with positive heart energy; spiritual dryness with sincere longing; and doubt with faith. The peak hatha yoga experience comes by letting go of all expectations, getting out of the way of the “Way”, and offering up one’s effort as a selfless act of love.

The following account by Danna Faulds sums up the hatha yoga experience perfectly:
“What is the Soul of Yoga? Follow your heart into the center of the pose and find in the midst of detail and precision, in breath, alignment, balance, bliss, fear and sadness—at the very core of all of this is love. Touch upon your truest nature even once and the experience of what you really are sears the psyche like the surface of the sun. The soul of yoga, the gift within the pose is the moment of communion, resting in pure essence, the awakening as if from sleep to the face of unmistakable divinity; the ineffable wonder and living reality of Spirit—oh yes—the soul of yoga is love.”