Even with yoga's widespread popularity these days, you may not know that there are several forms of yoga that focus on different parts of the overall yogic experience. From power yoga to Ashtanga, Bikram or Kundalini yoga, it may be a challenge figure out which yoga class is right for you. It may surprise you to learn that when people talk about "yoga" in general, they're actually talking about hatha yoga.
Definition and History
Hatha is a combination of two Sanskrit words, "Ha" meaning "sun" and "tha" meaning "moon." This yoga system was developed by Yogi Swatmarama in the 1400s as a way to develop balance between the body and mind through positioning the body, breathing and meditation. "Hatha" is also translated as willful or forceful, and is also called forceful yoga because of the focus on the set and sequence of certain postures, or asanas. This system focuses on breathing, body postures and meditation as a way to improve the subtle energies in your body.
Focus on Postures
Hatha yoga focuses on placing your body in different positions as a way to easily practice meditation by making your body open to your spiritual self. These postures are designed to open up the areas in which our internal physical and mental energy is stored. Practitioners believe that by becoming proficient with these postures you can improve your strength of will and concentration.
Breathing is Important
When exercising using hatha yoga, you focus on your breathing to help unclutter your mind and improve your spiritual self. By clearing your mind and focusing on your breathing, you open up yourself to benefit from the meditation involved in yoga. Proper breathing during your hatha yoga training will allow you to stimulate both sides of your brain and help you control your internal energy.
Benefits
Practitioners of hatha yoga believe that the postures, breathing exercises and meditation allow you to improve your flexibility, balance and strength. In addition, they say certain postures can help treat specific physical problems. Because of its focus on breathing and flexibility, rather than rigorous, difficult poses, hatha yoga can be practiced by people who aren't in the best physical shape, helping them get off the couch and get active.
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