Hatha Yoga

Hatha yoga is the most commonly practiced form of yoga in the world. The word itself, Ha-tha, combines ‘ha’, or “the breath of the sun”, which in Sanskrit, is called Prana. ‘Tha’, or “the breath of the moon”, is called Apana in Sanskrit. This connects the internal heating and cooling aspects to create balance for each individual. Hatha yoga is an ideal method of understanding your body and becoming aware of the natural energy that connects all life forms.

This form deals with the practice of asana for control and balance over the physical body through the mind. Hatha practice is performed as a step towards perfecting Raja Yoga.

Hatha is active, involving stamina, will power and life energy to propel the vehicle of the soul, or our physical being.
Hatha also combines the study of breath, Pranayama, and Meditation technique and has become one of the most popular and Westernized branches of yoga. It is a lifestyle and means to relieve mental, emotional and physical health ailments.

The elements of Hatha Yoga are comprised of:

- The position of the asana causes an increase in blood circulation to the specific target organ or gland.

- The position of the asana often produces a slight squeezing of the organ or gland. This has the effect of massaging the organ or gland and stimulating it.

- Deep breathing and visualizing the target area sends an extra supply of energy, or prana, to the area.

Kundalini is energy, or power, referred to as feminine that lies within all living animals. It is described as a serpent coiled at the base chakra of the spine, lying within the spinal column. This energy moves naturally with emotion, physical pressures, and of the mind of the yogi as one desires. The yogis use Kriyas, or mental, emotional, and physical cleansing systems. Kundalini moves within paths of the chakras and nadis leading the place behind the eyes, our 'third eye'. This area is described as a thousand-petalled Lotus, the Sahsarar, and is an area of the attainment of enlightenment.

Ashtanga, which is an eight-fold path to understand and live the concept of yoga is used in many forms of hatha yoga as a way of joining the soul and universal spirit; or the individual with the universal.

The routine practice of hatha yoga will bring stamina and endurance to the muscles, heart, and mind, coordination and balance, and increased longevity. Many benefits of hatha yoga that attract people include stress-relief, comfort and capabilities to deal with anxiety and depression, weight-loss properties, and mental stimulation.