Hatha yoga ancient yoga texts of Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism, it is the Hatha yoga texts that provide step by step methodology on how to enter into an "asana". The Hindu text "Gheranda samhita", for example, in section 2.8 describes the "padmasana" for meditation. Most "asanas" are inspired by nature, such as a form of union with symmetric, harmonious flowing shapes of animals, birds or plants. Early hatha yoga was used to prevent the dripping of bindu (semen) from the heads of men. The two early hatha yoga techniques to achieve this were inverted poses such as Viparita Karani, known as the
Jnana 'divided knowing'. Entrance to, and progression through the ten stages of Jnana/Bhimis, will lead one to complete enlightenment and nirvana. In the Vipassanā tradition of Buddhism there are the following ñanas according to Mahasi Sayadaw. As a person meditates these ñanas or "knowledges" will be experienced in order. The experience of each may be brief or may last for years and the subjective intensity of each is variable. Each ñana could also be considered a jhāna although many are not stable and the mind has no way to remain embedded in the experience. Experiencing all the ñanas will lead to