Hatha yoga physical essence of life that was constantly dripping down from the head and being lost. These techniques sought to either physically reverse this process (by inverted postures like the "viparītakaraṇī") or to use the breath to force bindu upwards through the central channel. Other texts like the "Vivekamārtaṇḍa", "Goraksaśataka", and "Khecarīvidyā" also teach the raising of kuṇḍalinī. The aims of these practices were siddhis (supranormal powers such as levitation) and mukti (liberation). The only other texts older than the Hathapradīpikā to teach Hatha Yoga ̣mudrās are the "Shiva Samhita", "Yogabīja", "Amaraughaprabodha", and "Śārṅgadharapaddhati". The "Hatha Yoga Pradīpika" is one of
Ashtanga vinyasa yoga classes in similar style, offering posture variations, and teaching Ashtanga in a much less linear style, with a greater emphasis on alignment and breathing. Sharath's "new generation" of young students have adopted Sharath's new rules, and teach in a linear style without variations. According to the Sharath generation, variations are not allowed, and practice must be in a strict Mysore environment under the guidance of a Sharath-approved teacher. How-to videos & workshops, detailed alignment instructions, and strength-building exercises are not part of the method, neither for the practitioner or the teacher. These types of instruction are not approved by Sharath,