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.
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.
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.
The Hatha Routine
Hatha yoga is good entry point for people looking to start yoga. The slower pace may give your body more time to adjust to the new routine and postures. Of course, how fast you will adjust will depend on your physical condition.
There are different ways people do hatha. Some focus on different types of postures, while others build towards a main posture. A typical session starts with some breathing exercise or meditation. The idea is to centre ourselves before we move on to other postures. In the build-up type session, the centring is followed by poses involving bending, twisting, etc. After centring and stretching your body, you performed the main pose.
There are literally hundreds of poses you can incorporate into your hatha routine. Some common poses include the Easy Pose (Sukhasana), Triangle (Trikoasana), and Downward Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana).
Note: When starting any workout routine, it’s always a good idea to consult your physician beforehand.
Benefits of Hatha Yoga
Research has shown that hatha yoga can be beneficial for both the mind and body. Here are some of the benefits you may see by including the workout in your life.
Flexibility
Research has shown that hatha yoga can make can make different parts of your body more flexible. The researchers measured the flexibility of 56 women, aged 50 to 79, who did 90-minute sessions once per week. The study concluded that yoga exercises increased spinal mobility and flexibility of the hamstrings regardless of your age.
Anxiety
Another study involving 501 people doing hatha yoga found that it is a promising method for treating anxiety. The research was a meta-analysis of 17 studies, including 11 trials.
Core Strength
An exercise focused on posture should naturally effect your core strength. Research on this topic has found a positive relationship between doing hatha yoga for 21 days and core strength.
Hatha yoga is the most common type of yoga in the western world. Its beginner friendly nature makes it an attractive option for people looking to improve their health.
GOT A QUERY?
Just fill up the form below and we'll get back to you at the earliest.
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:
Subscribe to our
