GHATASTHA YOGA

Ghatastha Yoga is a flowing style of Yoga comprised of techniques for transforming the subtle essences of the body and developing its energy channels.

Ghatastha is a style of hatha yoga. This style aims to achieve the maximum results with minimal expenditure of energy. The different asana used in the many grades of Ghatastha have been arranged to bring a rich supply of blood to the brain and the various parts of the spinal column. Asana work by stretching, bending and twisting the spinal column in many directions. This promotes the health of the nerves that extend from the spinal column to the internal organs, limbs and extremities.

Historically Ghatastha Yoga has been used as a synonymous term for Hatha Yoga. The process of Hatha Yoga performed as a meditation in action brings a mastery of the mechanism of the mind and leads to increased consciousness.

Principles Of Ghatastha Yoga

1. Single-minded, unyielding determination is necessary to develop a strong spirit. The forging of the spirit is more important than technique.
2. When yoga is practised in a loose and natural manner, there will be no danger, even if a mistake is made.
3. Adapt to changing circumstances as water does. Practise with a beginner's mind every day.
4. Find the strength in weakness and the weakness in strength to master asana technique.
5. The spirit controls the body.
6. Respect nature and its laws.
7. Movement emerges from stillness, therefore movement and stillness are one.
8. Swiftness emerges from slowness, therefore swiftness and slowness are one.
9. Visualise prana and it's course through the body. Direct it to areas of weakness and they will be strengthened and healed.
10. The three stages of learning are:
    a. learn - to consciously learn a technique,
    b. apply - to practise the technique until it can be applied successfully,
    c. dissolve - when the technique becomes part of the being, the technique will dissolve.