What is Hatha Yoga?

As a yoga novice, I have been finding myself confused when reading yoga class schedules at the gym. I simply did not know the difference between each type of yoga nor did I know which one would be the most appropriate for me. So I did some research. This article offers a brief overview for the beginner. I do not go into the history and the detailed organization of the yoga practice, as it is quite extensive.

I found that yoga was an easy subject to research though; there are many excellent books and websites. If you are interested in yoga, you can also learn more about the practice by speaking with a yoga teacher at a local gym or a local yoga studio. I have found that they are very open to discussing the topic and engaging students into a deeper understanding of the practice and benefits of yoga. One such book is "Anatomy of Hatha Yoga: A Manual for Students, Teachers, and Practitioners." This book, though extensive in its contents, is written for the general audience and people who may not be familiar with the science, chemistry or philosophy behind yoga. This book contains 300 photographs, diagrams and anatomical illustrations. It can easily be found at a discounted price on Amazon.com.

Yogi Swatmarama in India introduced Hatha yoga in the 15th century. According to Swatmarama, Hatha yoga is a stage of yoga that allows the physical body to become ready for a stage of higher meditation. In my understanding, Hatha yoga addresses the more physical aspects of yoga and is associated with the "standard" of yoga as we understand it commonly in the West. Hatha yoga is thus associated with physical and mental health.

By exploring the physical, Hatha yoga aims to put you in touch with your body, your mind and the 'self' as it is often described. The word Hatha comes from the two words "ha" and "tha" which in Sanskrit mean "sun" and "moon". The word itself implies a balance of energies and also makes me think of the "ying" and "yang" balance. The exercises in Hatha yoga take place both lying down and standing up and they emphasize the search for mental and spiritual balance in the practitioner through physical strength and purification.

Even within Hatha yoga, there are numerous methodologies of practice. One method is the Iyengar method, which emphasizes alignment and balance of the body. The poses of this method focus on strengthening muscles and on spinal extensions. Most gym classes will not break down further the Hatha Yoga methodologies - it may be up to the individual instructors. Most studios and gyms will offer either Hatha yoga or Vinyasa yoga, which is quite different.

There are numerous health benefits to yoga. Hatha Yoga specifically is linked with reducing stress and increasing the body's physical alignment and balance. The poses focus on increasing core strength, physical balance and flexibility over time. I have noticed that it has helped me considerably with my posture and core muscular strength. Just as other types of yoga, breathing is equally important in Hatha yoga and this has proven more difficult to learn.

I have been attending Hatha yoga classes at my gym but I wasn't sure how Hatha yoga different from other types prior to doing this research. I find that this is the best practice for me based on what I have read because of the focus on balance and body alignment. In the classroom, I like the relaxed atmosphere and the pace of the poses.

Although I am new to yoga, I have found the exercises of Hatha yoga to be fairly accessible to beginners. I also like the emphasis this type of yoga places on physical exercises. I have been able to follow along with the instructor with minimal help. My balance and posture can't yet compare with the more advanced individuals in these classes but I still feel that with some practice I will be able to master many of the poses. I like the idea that I can benefit from yoga just by practicing these poses weekly without necessarily having a deep understanding of yoga in its fullest. My research and my classes have, however, piqued my interest and I am now determined to learn more about the practice of yoga and its history while also doing my best on the mat.

Sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hatha_Yoga