Basic Hatha yoga practice can benefit all ages and physical conditions. Combining mind and body to gain a healthy perspective towards life can make everyday living more fulfilling and physically rewarding. The increased popularity of yoga has resulted in a number of classes, videos or books available to help introduce you to this natural and beneficial way to improve your health.
Facts
Spiritual enlightenment was the original purpose of yoga, but since practitioners have found out about the numerous health benefits, yoga has caught on in Western culture as a way to integrate the body and mind. The most popular form of yoga in the United States is the physical discipline known as Hatha yoga. Translated, Hatha Yoga means "forceful yoga" since it is so physically oriented, according to SanatanSociety.org. Hatha yoga focuses on combining postures, known as asanas, and breathwork to achieve a higher level of functioning.
Objectives
Hatha yoga exercises have two objectives, according to SanatanSociety.org. First, you can only accomplish proper meditation by finding a comfortable posture that you can use for extended periods of time. You can only attain higher levels of inner meditation peace upon finding and mastering this posture. Secondly, regularly engaging in yoga postures can bring harmony, energy and health to the body and mind.
Benefits
Basic Hatha yoga practice provides many benefits, both physically and mentally. Regularly engaging in yoga results in improved concentration, decreased stress levels, lessened hostility, heightened focus and awareness, increased self-confidence and an overall enhanced outlook. Yoga postures can reduce body inflammation by hindering production of damaging proteins. Inflammation can lead to type-2 diabetes, heart disease and varieties of arthritis, according to the Arthritis Foundation. Other benefits include improved circulation, balance, core strength, sleep, breathing, joint flexibility and muscle tone, weight management, hand-eye coordination and endurance, according to NursingDegree.net.
Spine Flexibility
Keeping your spine flexible can improve posture and ability to perform a number of everyday activities, including bending over, turning to see what is behind you and reaching for items. One Hatha pose that can help with spine flexibility involves sitting upright on a floor mat and extending both legs in front of you. Slowly bend your right leg, and slide your foot until your knee is bent. Lift your right leg, and place it along the outside of your left leg. Place your hands onto your right knee, and pull the knee toward your chest. Feel the stretch along your hip and back. Breathe normally as you slowly turn your upper body to the right and look over your right shoulder. Hold this stretch for 10 seconds. Return your body to the original position. Relax 10 seconds. Repeat this exercise to the left side.
Types
All types of individuals can do Hatha yoga. Chair yoga exercises can be done by disabled, wheelchair-bound, elderly or other individuals with physical limitations. Floor mats can provide other workout areas for those with no mobility issues. You can do exercises while sitting at computer desks or other work-related stations. Water-based exercises can provide relief for individuals with compromised joint health.
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