Asana

In this context, the word asana means a posture, a steady position of the body. There are special methods of working with the body in order to prepare it for further stages of spiritual work. Systems of asanas and other exercises of this stage of work are collectively called hatha yoga. They also help one acquire the initial skills of concentration and provide the entry-level development of the energy structures of the organism.

One should start doing asanas only after studying and accepting the principles of the previous stage. Practicing hatha yoga without switching to the killing-free diet leads to coarsening of one’s energy and to accumulation of coarse power, and this in turn leads one astray from the true Path.

The best time for doing asanas is early morning — approximately 4-5 a.m.

Each session must be followed by shavasana — a deep relaxation of the body and mind while lying on the back for about 20 minutes. If one does not do this, health disorders may occur, such as deterioration of the eyesight, anxiety, insomnia, etc.

Attempts to do anything with kundalini as a part of hatha yoga training are strictly prohibited: this can lead to severe health disorders — both physical and mental. Working with kundalini is a task of the buddhi yoga stage. Raising kundalini is allowed only after all the chakras and major meridians have been cleansed and developed thoroughly.

One also needs to understand that hatha yoga is just a preparatory stage for the actual yoga path. This is why devoting the life to it, counting on any substantial spiritual success — is not serious. Only working with the spiritual heart within raja and then buddhi yoga programs can ensure serious advancement.