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How to take care of yourself with Natha Yoga?

Natha Yoga is an age-old practice therapeutic and beneficial for the body and mind.. If you feel the need to reconnect with yourself and want to learn more about this practice, this article is for you!

How to take care of yourself with Natha Yoga?

Introduction to Natha Yoga

Before we begin to decipher this discipline in depth, here are some key key information interesting if you have never heard of Natha Yoga:


  • Natha Yoga is the oldest branch of yoga originating from Kashmir which isIt is based on an acute listening of the body’s sensations.
  • This practice originates from northern India. It is a tantric yoga of an ancient tradition. Tantrism designates a set of texts, doctrines, rituals and initiatory methods that have spread to most branches of Hinduism. Do not hesitate to consult our YouTube video on this subject to better understand this very broad term.
  • Natha Yoga is a philosophy and practice that includes more than 80 postureseach of them leading to specific benefits.
  • This practice combines the posturesand the breathsand the mantras and the visualizationsThis gives it a strong energetic dimension in order to evacuate all psychic and emotional knots.
  • It has a multitude of health and longevity benefitswhether in the medium or long term.
  • By allowing you to take a step back, the sessions lead to a sense of well-being.
It is recognized that a regular practice can bring more self-confidence andharmony.
How to take care of yourself with Natha Yoga?

Origins and history of Natha Yoga

Natha Yoga is a practice that has existed since the 8th or 9th centuryIt is therefore quite difficult to have information on its origin or its history. Nevertheless, here are some important points:


  • The Sanskrit terminology of the word Nâtha means “lord”, “protector”, or “master”. It is mostly used to designate the nine naths, also called saints or gurus, of the Nath tradition.
  • Natha Yoga was established by Matsyendra and developed by his disciple, Goraksha. They are also the ones who founded Hatha Yoga.
  • The Natha Samprad traditionâya tradition finds its foundations and wisdom in the principles of yoga. This explains why great yogis can be called nathas.
  • The Natha yoga has been very influential throughout India, especially in the north and west. It is now a traditional yoga very much alive thanks to its presence in North India but also in Nepal, Bengal, Rajasthan and several other Indian states.
  • From the beginning, the main goal of this discipline was to reach spiritual liberation (moksha) and self-awareness (jivanmukti). The members of the Natha Sampradaya did not think that it depended on the Divine but on an individual’s own reflection and action.
  • The Nâtha Sampradâya tradition is formed of twelve branches (panthas). Each branch then has its own line of spiritual masters. However, there are also other lineages, including the tantric ones.

What are the principles of Natha Yoga?

Natha Yoga is a discipline that aims to to do cleansings. His concept is then mixed with several tantric yogas which aim to reach a spiritual and intellectual development while looking for an improvement of the musculature and the flexibility of yogis. This yoga has then 22 limbs which are in fact steps describing the moral line of conduct and the self-discipline to be adopted to follow its teaching at best. These techniques are used for example:

  • postures (âsana);
  • breathing (prânâyâma);
  • gestures (mudrâ);
  • contractions (bandha);
  • concentration (dharana), etc.
Each member is then considered with the same importance because there is no no hierarchy in Natha Yoga! It undoes all notions of good/evil, positive/negative, matter/energy so that the mental and physical can be linked in the practice. This is also why Classes are open to all, regardless of caste, social level, religion, gender, age or nationality. L’lovethe life in harmony with nature and the compassion are the foundations of the life of the yogis who practice it. If Natha Yoga gives so much importance to the inner world of the yogis, it is because its philosophy explains that it is thanks to its understanding that they will be able to evolve and understand profound realities about themselves but also about the reality that surrounds them.
How to take care of yourself with Natha Yoga?
How to take care of yourself with Natha Yoga?

The four states of consciousness of natha yoga

As far as its functioning is concerned, Natha Yoga emphasizes many four states that are related to mental variations. These states are:


  • In the waking state;
  • the dream state;
  • the state of sleep.
The fourth state then encompasses the three already mentioned. As explained in the previous part of this article, the purpose of Natha Yoga is to work on the mind for a better knowledge of oneself. In reality, the search is even more precise! The main objective is to achieve maintain a continuous thread of awareness and identical without depending on the state of consciousness of the yogi, whether he is in a waking, dreaming or sleeping state. This is no small task and requires daily practice. Natha yoga also emphasizes three other triads:

  • Moral energy and doubt This means that the energy must be pure so that it can circulate freely, without being subject to the conditioning of society and therefore to the morality and doubt that it generates within each person. This practice does not demonize external morality but explains that it should not be taken into account for the interiority of the individual because it is not a personal value that he has chosen.
  • Will, knowledge, action
  • The mind, the vital breath and ojas (vital energy, creative sexual energy)
The last two triads are permanently in action within us. Working with them therefore allows for a awareness that where one is concerned, the other two are also concerned. Yogis can then better understand their inner workings and thus better inhabit their inner world.

Which mat to practice natha yoga?

Natha Yoga puts the priority on the work of the mind. In this case, the choice of a quality carpet is not to be neglected! This can really help you to be in a better position to better conditions to enter the state of meditation or help you to realize more delicate asanas by being better stabilized! The Gentle Range can be a good solution if you want to start Natha Yoga. Indeed, its soft coating in merino wool certified oeko-tex will know how to relax you. In addition, with its extra large dimensions of 200 cm x 75 cmYour practice will have no limits and you will be able to lie down without difficulties! While it is ideal for gentle yogas, it can also be used for more casual dynamic yoga practices. Finally, this ecological carpet made in Europe is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, whether you are a beginner or an expert.

I order my Natural carpet
How to take care of yourself with Natha Yoga?
How to take care of yourself with Natha Yoga?

If the natural carpet did not convince you, discover the Performance range ! Its thickness of 4mm and its soft microfiber coating allow for a gentle yogic and meditative practice filled with pleasure. On the other hand, its adhesion to the ground and its anti-slip which is activated by perspiration make it excellent for dynamic yogic practices. The Performance Mat is also wider than the classic yoga matsYou can do all the asanas you want, without restriction! No matter what your level, it will follow you inside and outside! If you don’t sweat during your practice, don’t panic! Moisten your mat to activate its anti-slip technology and feel free to repeat it several times in your session if necessary!

I order my Performance Mat
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Accessories to practice Natha Yoga?

The work of flexibility is one of the objectives of Natha Yoga. Accessories can then be very interesting to help you to progress gentlywithout straining your muscles too much and therefore without injuring yourself. The straps and Yogom bricks are ideal! The straps allow you to better hold your asanas without too much force and having a good posture of your body. They are also perfect for work on your balance ! The yoga bricks are a true extension of your upper or lower limbs, which allows you to work on your flexibility. They are also recommended for working on the good alignment of your asanas in order not to hurt yourself. Finally, you can use it to gain comfort during your meditation by sitting on it.

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woman meditating while sitting on a recycled foam yoga brick
How to take care of yourself with Natha Yoga?

What are the benefits of natha yoga?

Natha Yoga has many many benefits for the morale and the physical. Here are the most important benefits when you enter this philosophy:


  • Improvement in general of the health
  • Stimulation of the self-healing forces allowing a strengthening of the immune system
  • Stress evacuation thanks to a state of well-being after each session
  • Stimulation of the body which thus becomes stronger and more flexible
  • Improvement of daily energy thanks to different practices that give you a positive energy boost for the whole day
  • Improved sleep
  • Improvement of digestion thanks to a better assimilation and elimination of food
  • Improved concentration
  • Improvement of self-knowledge and thus awakening of personal potential and abilities

What method of practice for natha yoga?

  • Although Natha Yoga requires training the body, breath, energy and mind simultaneously, the real goal is to to work on the soul and the interior of the energy structure. The physical work is therefore much less intense than the mental work in this discipline.
  • The visualizations are then very practiced in this yoga. From breathing, concentration and mantra exercises are also very important. The practice turns more to the flavor, the feeling, the sensations, everything that happens inside the body.
  • Finally, an essential element of Natha Yoga is improvisation. Learning only allows you to better improvise your personal practice in order to find your own yoga. The goal is to eventually create your own classes to find the yoga that is good for you and which corresponds to us totally, the one that no one else can reveal. This will also allow you to take a maximum of pleasure during your sessions.
  • However, getting started at home can be complicated. you could be at risk of unintentionally restrict since you don’t know all the techniques that allow you to free your mind and your energies. Several training centers exist in France. You can then follow a complete training to be able to make your own courses. It is also possible to make a one-day course or to attend a conference to learn more about the subject. Finally, you can simply to register for courses to have support throughout your practice.
How to take care of yourself with Natha Yoga?

Yogom also helps you find the right yoga for you with its article “What type of yoga to practice?” . If you would like more information about yoga, please visit Yogom’s YouTube page .

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