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and kumbhaka. In the practice of mudra the internal sensations are heightened, pranic sensations are heightened and, after awakening, the kundalini rises via sushumna to unite at sahasrara. This is also known as awakening of kundalini which culminates in the experience or discovery of inner sound, nadanusandhana.
So if mudra is to be defined, we can say that when asanas, kumbhaka and bandha are perfected, then we come to the practice called mudra. But actually mudra does not occur until, during the practice of these three, the internal, pranic sensations dissolve and become one with the mental traits. This is why we can broadly define mudra as asana, kumbhaka and bandha. But even with this definition, we need to understand that, with the practice of these three, a special pranic awakening occurs at mooladhara chakra. At that time this energy rises up through sushumna. But after this occurs, if the mental traits are not totally focused and united, so that the consciousness enters the state of laya, then this will not be the state of mudra. The etymology of mudra is mudraa aanandam laati iti mudraa, the practice which induces an internal experience of eternal bliss is called mudra. This can happen only when, after the practice of asana, kumbhaka and bandha, we can concentrate the mind and internally focus it on the sensations being experienced.
Firstly, I will speak about the asanas of hatha yoga. Today, whatever is practised or taught as yoga throughout the world, I consider to be the practice of hatha yoga and no other yoga. I told you that there are two orders of yoga, Patanjali and hatha. Although you have heard of various others like bhakti yoga, jnana yoga, samkhya yoga, raja yoga and so on, all these yogas can be classified into one of these two systems. For example bhakti yoga, jnana yoga, raja yoga, samkhya yoga, spiritual yoga, all fall under the Patanjali tradition of yoga. Karma yoga, mantra yoga, laya yoga, sparsh yoga (the yoga of touch), all fall into the category of the hatha yoga tradition.
It should be very clear to the practitioner that the asanas we practise today are part of the hatha yoga tradition and not of the Patanjali yoga tradition. They are very much different from the asanas of Patanjali. The asanas of hatha yoga are many in number, as those of you who practise regularly would know. The two principal asanas are padmasana and sid
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