Beginners Guide to Hatha Yoga

Hatha yoga is any of the physical practices of yoga. Hatha yoga is translated as the yoga that brings union “of the pairs of opposites”, ha means “sun” and tha means “moon” and is practiced to bring about health and vitality.

Hatha yoga prepares the body for the spiritual path by physical exercise and breathing. Certain positions of the body can the human-being qualities they are lacking or do not have. Names are given to the different poses according to the affect this pose can have on the body, for instance, the snake pose makes the spine more flexible, the frog pose helps conserve energy in the body and use much less water and food, an action pose develops emotional and physical energy. Yoga positions strengthen, purify and balance the nervous, circulatory, and endocrine system, helps strength the muscles, have healing properties to prevent disease, treats chronic disease, and emotional disorders.

Yoga has eight limbs, which include: asana, ashtanga, vinyasa and iyenqar. Hatha yoga is slow stretching, simple breathing and seated meditation. Hatha yoga is great if you are just starting to practice yoga for it teaches the basic poses, and relaxation techniques. Hatha yoga balances the mind and body by using physical exercises, controlled breathing while calming the mind through meditation and relaxation. Hatha yoga teaches strength, balance, and poise while improving the bodies physical health and preparing the mind for meditation to a state of well-being.

Traditional instructions for performing hatha yoga are:

• Wear something comfortable and are able to breathe in comfortably

• Use a folded blanket or mat

• Drink a glass of water before performing hatha yoga

• The stomach should be empty (8 hours after eating a meal, 2 hours after drinking a glass of milk, and one hour after eating fruit)

• Always perform hatha yoga early in the morning or if this isn’t possible, the next best time is around dusk

• Avoid rich, very hot or dry, too much food or left-overs

• Do not use pressure or force

• Don’t go out in the cold after doing hatha yoga

• Lower the head slowly, lower the heels slowly, and other parts of the body

• Breathing should be through the nose and controlled

• The atmosphere should be peaceful, clean, well-lit and ventilated

• Avoid exercise that requires lying on the stomach if you are pregnant.

Hatha yoga can be performed for slimming, by children, by senior citizens, men, expectant mothers, post-natal yoga, or anyone who wants to balance their state of well-being.

If you practice Hatha yoga regularly your body will become stronger, more flexible, reduce to and maintain your natural weight, rid itself of toxins, gain energy, breathe easier, improve circulation, normalize your blood pressure, cope with stress easier and you will have fewer negative emotions and more pleasant thoughts.

Hatha yoga can be performed at home, in your office, on your lunch break, with a friend, or in a support group. Hatha yoga will increase a healthier lifestyle and give you a positive attitude and a healthier body.