Hatha Yoga - The Articles | Yoga

By: Darren Williger

It is the most popular branch of Yoga. People call it "Yoga of postures". Hatha Yoga is so ancient, and its main concept is that a strong and relaxed body guarantees a spiritual progress. Its goals are to have a strong, healthy, flexible and relaxed body. The word "Hatha" means "sun + moon", which symbolizes the opposite currents in the system of the human body. This is because Hatha Yoga depends on a set of exercises, which supply the body with positive and negative currents, and so, it neutralizes the harmful energies in the body and increases beneficial energies, making the person more active and productive. This is due to the stable state the body reaches on practicing it.

There are so many Yoga styles originated from Hatha Yoga, e.g. Bikram Yoga, Ashatanga Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, Power Yoga. In Hatha Yoga, the yogi concentrates on breathing while practicing the different postures, and so, they train their mind to concentrate and function properly. By using Asanas (postures), Pranayama (breathing), and meditation, you achieve a perfect health, and free mind and spirit. Hatha Yoga concentrates on Asanas and Pranayama to energize and clear the energy channels "the Nadis". In addition, this removes all the obstacles that exist to start smoothly on the other limbs of Yoga (the remaining limbs of the 8 limbs of Yoga), which are Dharana, Pratyahara, Dhyana, and Samadha.

Ahimsa is one of the principles of Hatha Yoga; it means peacefulness in thoughts, deeds, and actions to the human beings, to the self, and to all the living creatures.

Here in Hatha Yoga, the Asanas designed to improve the general health and bring energies to the body. In addition, it serves as a meditation pose making you feel perfectly comfortable for a longer period. Being well acquainted with Asanas, you can develop your will power, concentration and self-withdrawal. Moreover, it massages and tones the internal organs, which helps in the prevention and treatment of so many disease, e.g. the chronic ones like Diabetes, Arthritis, Hypertension and Heart diseases,…etc. All of these Asanas benefits; open the path directly to Prathyahara and Dharana.

Pranayamas is so essential in Hatha Yoga practice, too. It is always the matter of breathing, if you are breathing correctly during the Yoga exercise, and in such a way that is good to your body, you guarantee a good control on your mind, this also helps asthmatic patients and those who suffer from bronchitis and improve their health. Pranayamas regulates the flow of vital energy in the body, which is required for initializing Samadhi. In addition, its practice leads to the awakening of the Kundalini energy.

In general, Hatha Yoga is so beneficial, you can benefit from it in so many different ways. You can relieve tension, and you can cope and deal with any kind of stress, anxiety and depression. It is great; you should experience that magnifacient feeling while you practice it. You will feel that a divine light shines within you, bringing you stronger, more flexible and so relaxed.

There is no wonder it is the most popular branch of Yoga. People who try it once, stick to its classes and never miss any. You should try it yourself and let us know your own opinion. On regular practicing, you will become familiar with its postures and exercises, and then, you can practice it on your own, even if you are at home. For the best results, you should practice it on regular basis, so that your body gets use to it, and its energy becomes stable and beneficial. Go ahead have fun, and have a nice Yoga class.