Benefits of Hatha Yoga
Hatha yoga is an exercise that uses breathing techniques and physical postures to develop a better connection between the mind, body and spirit. The word HATHA itself is made up of 2 words: “HA” meaning sun and “THA” meaning moon. The sun is the positive current in our body and the moon is the negative current. Hatha is the balance between the negative and positive.
Hatha yoga has many different types, including passive and active exercises. But in the western world we normally associate this yoga with its passive forms. The yoga sessions involve different breath control exercises and meditation along with the yoga poses.
If you’re looking to take a hatha yoga class or doing it yourself, you’d be curious about what benefits this mind body-exercise can provide. Let’s look at some of the benefits of hatha yoga:
Core Strength
Strengthening your core muscles can not only improve your balance but also help in avoiding back pains. One study on hatha yoga’s effect on core strength found that doing the exercise for 21 days improves core strength. Another study found that the Downward Facing Dog, Chair and Warrior 1 poses strengthen different core muscles.
Stress Reduction
Stress is considered to be major factor in physical and mental illness. Research has shown that regularly doing physical yoga has substantial health benefits. Also, a single 90-minute session can significantly reduce perceived stress. For even better results – based on the study – you should hatha regularly. The research involved 63 females aged 40 to 60 years.
Flexibility
Keeping the body flexible can be a challenge as we get older. A research on older woman, aged 50 to 79, found that yoga increases the flexibility in our hamstrings and spine. The study participants did one 90-minute exercise session a week.
Body Balance
Different physical exercises claim to help with body balance. In a 5-month hatha yoga study, researchers found substantial evidence that the exercise can improve posture. The study involved men aged 25 to 55 years.
Cognition
Research shows positive effects of hatha yoga on our cognitive abilities. An 8-week study compared the effects of the yoga with stretching-strengthening control in older adults. The yoga group performed much better “on the executive function measures of working memory capacity” among other metrics.
Yoga has been around for thousands of years. The hatha branch of yoga, with all its variations, can offer many mind and body benefits.
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YOGA FAQ
Yoga is a physical, mental and spiritual practice that originated in ancient India. The word ‘yoga’ originates from the Sanskrit word Yuj, meaning join, yoke, or unite. Yoga is a method of getting a balanced body and a relaxed mind. It includes the breathing activities called pranayama and the physical act of yoga stances called asanas (yoga poses). Yoga likewise incorporates contemplation, self-examination, and knowledge of yoga philosophy.
Yoga can be highly beneficial for those who practice it regularly since it makes our body flexible, powerful, conditioned, and stable. Yoga energizes the body and improves digestion and breathing as well as strengthens the heart and circulatory system. These are just some of the physical benefits of Yoga. By enabling us to concentrate on our energy and empowers confidence within our body, Yoga techniques can support spiritual growth by teaching us how to maintain a sense of calm in difficult situations and understanding compassion towards other people.
Many people start with 2-3 classes a week, working towards a daily routine with Yoga. In many cases, you can notice significant differences in your body just after a week of regular yoga practice. If possible, start with two to three sessions a week and work out a plan with your teacher on how to build it into your daily routine.
Numerous individuals practice yoga as an approach to dealing with their health concerns. There are a variety of yoga classes and asanas to address and work with various physical conditions. However, it is always a good idea consult a physiotherapist or yoga trainer to explain your health concerns and see how to best move forward.
Articles on Yoga
What is Hatha Yoga
Hatha yoga is the most common type of yoga people do in the western world today. Hatha places special emphasis on slow, measured movements and mindfulness. Generally, the term hatha yoga is used for any type of yoga that combines poses (asanas) with controlled breathing (pranayama). The Yogi usually holds a pause for several breaths.
Benefits of Hatha Yoga
Hatha yoga is an exercise that uses breathing techniques and physical postures to develop a better connection between the mind, body and spirit. The word HATHA itself is made up of 2 words: “HA” meaning sun and “THA” meaning moon. The sun is the positive current in our body and the moon is the negative current. Hatha is the balance between the negative and positive.
5 Yoga Asanas (Poses)
Practised for over 4000 years, yoga is a collection of different slow and fast exercise routines and numerous poses (asanas). In this article, we will focus on 5 well-known yoga poses:
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