Hatha yoga, which is a ladder for those who would like to ascend to the lofty raja yoga.
A Summary
Chapter I
I.1 Salutations to the one who taught the vidya (knowledge) of hatha yoga, which is a ladder for those who would like to ascend to the lofty raja yoga.
I.2 After saluting his lord and guru, Svatmarama yogi presents the vidya (knowledge) of hatha yoga only for the purpose of attaining raja yoga.
I.3 For those who are ignorant of raja yoga and are in the darkness of ignorance and misunderstanding due to conflicting information, compassionate Svatmarama offers hatha yoga as a light of understanding.
I.4 Matsyendra, Goraksa, and others have a thorough understanding of hatha yoga, and by grace, the yogi Svatmarama also learned these things.
I.5 Sriadinatha, Matsyendra, Sabara, Anandabhairava, Caurangi, Mina, Goraksa, Virupaksa, Bilesaya,
I.6 Manthana, Bhairava, Siddhi, Buddha, Kanthadi, Korantaka, Surananda, Siddhapada, Carpati,
I.7 Kaneri, Pujyapada, Nityanatha, Niranjana, Kapali, Bindunatha, Kakacandisvara,
I.8 Allama, Prabhudeva, Ghodacoli, Tintini, Bhanuki, Naradeva, Khandah, Kapalika
I.9 and many other siddhis who have conquered time and move freely around this universe through the power of hatha yoga.
I.10 Hatha yoga is a sheltering monastery for those afflicted by the three types of suffering and is a foundational support for all other practices of yoga.
I.11 The siddhi who desires success in yoga should keep the practice of hatha yoga very secret as it is potent when kept secret and ineffective when publicly revealed.
I.12 The hatha yoga practitioner should live alone in a small matha, a bow's length away from rocks, water, and fire in a virtuous land that is prosperous and free from disturbances.
I.13 The matha should have a small door and no windows. It hold be level with no holes in the floor. It should not be too high, too low, or too long. It should be well smeared with cow dung and free of insects. Outside, it should be beautiful with a raised seat and a well, surrounded by a wall. These characteristics of a matha have been laid out by previous siddhis as conducive to yoga practice.
I.14 Living in such a place, the yogi should practice yoga all the time as instructed by the guru.
I.15 Yoga fails for 6 reasons: over eating, over exertion, excessive talking, observance of inappropriate disciplines, keeping company that exhibits a lack of self control, and unsteadiness of body and mind.
I.16 Yoga succeeds for 6 reasons: zeal, determination, courage, true knowledge, conviction, and renunciation of inappropriate people.
I.17 Asanas are the first component of hatha yoga because they bring about steadiness, lightness of the body, and freedom from illness.
I.18 Here are some asanas practiced by ancient siddhis.
