Hatha Yoga
Hatha Yoga is also called the Yoga of Postures or what the majority of people simply call “yoga” is, in actual fact, Hatha Yoga. This system of Yoga was introduced by sri Swatmarama, a 15th century sage in India and is the most popular. It is from this that the other Yoga styles have been derived. These include Bikram Yoga, Power Yoga, Kundalini Yoga and Ashtanga Yoga. “Hatha” is a Sanskrit word formed from “ha” which means “sun” and “tha” which means “moon”. So, Hatha Yoga is that branch of Yoga which aims to unite the pairs of opposites that refer to the positive (the sun) and the negative (the moon) currents within our system. Hatha Yoga focuses on the third and fourth of the Eight Steps of Yoga (viz. Asana and Pranayama).
Hatha Yoga aims at achieving a balance between mind and body, and also attempts to free our more subtle spiritual elements through physical postures called Asanas, Pranayama or Breathing Techniques, and Dhyana or meditation.
What are Asanas
Asanas are the different body postures which, if practised regularly serve to improve our health and eradicate diseases in our physical, causal, and subtle bodies. In Sanskrit “asana” means “seat” and refers not just to the physical posture but also to posture in relation to divinity. All asanas (poses) were initially designed for Meditative practices, since they make the practitioner feel relaxed for long periods of time. Regularly practicing Asanas slso guarantees bone strength and muscle flexibility, besides certain non-physical rewards like development of concentration, will power and self-withdrawal.
What is Pranayama
Pranayama is a derivative of the Sanskrit from the words “prana” (meaning bio-energy or life-force) and “yama” (which means to control). So Pranayama is, essentially, the science of breathing correctly with a view to collect and preserve, then chanelize bio-energy in all the right directions. This is a crucial part of Hatha Yoga since the ancient yogis held that the secret to controlling our minds could be unlocked by controlling our breathing. The practice of breath control also helps release the latent energies lying dormant within the body.
Hatha Yoga practice will definitely help the practitioner recognize his / her hidden mental as well as physical potentials. By practicing Asanas on a regular basis, you become flexible and strong, and far more relaxed under any stressful situations. The Relaxation Exercises taught in Hatha Yoga also help open your energy channels that, in turn let spiritual energy flow freely within the system. Certain Hatha Yoga postures even tone up and massage the internal organs. This helps prevent diseases – particularly psychosomatic – like asthma, blood pressure, diabetes and hypertension. Hatha Yoga practise also helps bring about a balance in the internal and glandular functions. On the other hand, the breathing techniques taught as part of Pranayama help manage diseases such as asthma and bronchitis.
Thus Hatha Yoga helps you relieve tension, cope with stress and deal with tension and anxiety as well as depression. Above all, it helps focus the mind and prepare you for the higher practices of Meditation.
