Page 91 - Demo

The entire practice of Haṭhayoga is preparation for the Rājayoga. This includes raising Kuṇḍalinī. Rājayoga deals with the Meditation whereas, raising of the Kuṇḍalinī is the focus of the Haṭhayoga practice. Haṭha means the force and Kuṇḍalinī is to be raised by forcing Prāṇa at the entrance of Suṣumnā. The practice of Haṭhayoga starts with preparatory āsanas. However, more prominent practice is Prāṇāyāma and using the Prāṇāyāma to force Prāṇa through the Middle nāḍī (energy channel) called Suṣumnā. This is the real Force or Haṭha indicated in the term Haṭhayoga. Let us look what Haṭhayogapradīpikā states.
स-शैल-वन-धात्रीणां यथाधारोऽदह-नायकः ।
सवेषां योग-तरत्राणां तथाधारो दह कुण्डली ॥ ३.१॥
Hathayogapradipika 3.1: As the chief of the snakes is the support of the earth with all the mountains and forests on it, so all the Tantras (Yoga practices) rest on the Kundalini.
- 91 -