Is Chaturanga part of the original Hatha yoga?

No, Chaturanga Dandasana (Four-Limbed Staff Pose) is not part of the original or traditional Hatha Yoga system. Chaturanga is a powerful pose that you’ll often see in modern yoga styles like Vinyasa Yoga or Ashtanga Yoga, where the focus is on flowing sequences and strength-building. 🧘‍♀️ So, where did Chaturanga come from? Chaturanga evolved much later — it’s not mentioned in classical Hatha Yoga texts like the Hatha Yoga Pradipika or Gheranda Samhita, which form the foundation of traditional Hatha Yoga. Those texts primarily focus on: Meditative seated postures Cleansing practices (Shatkarma) Breathing techniques (Pranayama) Bandhas (energy locks) and Mudras (gestures) Chaturanga, along with poses like Plank, Upward Dog, etc., became more popular in the 20th-century modern yoga systems designed to build strength and stamina — often influenced by gymnastics and physical culture. 💪 Does that mean Chaturanga isn’t useful? Not at all! 💯 Chaturanga is a fantastic posture for building core and upper body strength, improving alignment, and preparing for arm balances. While it’s not part of classical Hatha Yoga, it can be beautifully integrated into modern Hatha flow classes as a strength element. ✅ Final Thought: If you're teaching or learning traditional Hatha Yoga, Chaturanga won’t typically be included. But if your style blends modern movement with classical roots, you can use Chaturanga to build power, awareness, and stability. read less