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
Ashtanga namaskara : This asana helps to tone arm and forearm muscles[8] and develops flexibility and power in the wrists, as well as toning abdominal organs[3] and building repository muscles. Ashtanga namaskara Ashtanga namaskara is a posture where the body is balanced on eight points of contact with the floor: feet, knees, chest, chin and hands. The name comes from the Sanskrit words ashta, meaning “eight,” anga, meaning “part” or “limb”, and namaskar, meaning “bowing” or “greeting." It forms part of the classical surya namaskar sequence(comes almost in middle of sequence) and is also used as an alternative to Chaturanga Dandasana. Surya