INTRODUCTION.

There exists at present a good deal of misconception with regard to t?he practices of Hatha Yoga A branch of yoga that emphasizes physical techniques such as postures and breath control to balance the body and mind.. People easily believe in the stories told b?y those who themselves heard them second hand, and no attempt is made to find out the truth by a direct reference to any good treatise. It i?s generally believed that the six practices original: "षट्कर्म" (Shatkarma). These are traditional purification techniques—such as nasal rinsing or stomach cleansing—intended to balance the body's internal systems. in Hatha Yoga are compulsory on the student and that besides being dirty, they are fraught with danger to the practiser. This is not true, for these practices are necessary only in the existence of impurities in the energy channels original: "Nâdis." In yogic anatomy, these are the subtle pathways through which vital energy (prana) flows., and not otherwise.

There is the same amount of misunderstanding with regard to Breath Control original: "Prânâyâma." The practice of regulating the breath to stabilize the mind and life force.. People put their faith implicitly in the stories told them about the dangers attending the practice, without ever taking the trouble of ascertaining the fact themselves. We have been inspiring and expiring a?ir from our birth, and will continue to do so till death; and this i?s done without the help of any teacher. Breath Control is nothing but a p?roperly regulated form of the otherwise irregular and hurried flow of air, without using much force or undue restraint; and if this is accomplished b?y patiently keeping the flow slow and steady, there can be no danger. I?t is the impatience for supernatural powers original: "Siddhis." These are spiritual or psychic perfections described in yoga literature as being attained through advanced practice. which cause undue pressure on the o?rgans and thereby causes pains in the ears, the eyes, the chest, etc. I?f the three body locks original: "बन्ध" (Bandhas). These are internal physical contractions—usually at the throat, abdomen, and pelvic floor—used to direct energy during breathing. be carefully performed while practising Breath Control, there is no possibility of any danger.

There are two classes of students of Yoga: (1) those who study it t?heoretically; (2) those who combine the theory with practice.

Yoga is of very little use, if studied theoretically. It was never m?eant for such a study. In its practical form, however, the path of the st?udent is beset with difficulties. The books on Yoga give instructions s?o far as it is possible to express the methods in words, but all persons, n?ot being careful enough to follow these instructions to the very letter, fa?il in their object. Such persons require a teacher versed in the p?ractice of Yoga. It is easy to find a teacher who will explain the language o?f the books, but this is far from being satisfactory. For instance, a traditional scholar original: "Pandit." A person with specialized knowledge of sacred texts and Sanskrit. without any knowledge of the science of medicine original: "Materia Medica." The branch of medical science concerned with the study of drugs and their sources. will e?xplain the word "thorny-one" original: "कंटकारि" (Kantakari). A medicinal plant often used in Ayurvedic treatments. as "an enemy of thorns," meaning shoes, w?hile it is in reality the name of a medicinal plant.