Hatha Yoga: Strengthening Your Body and Nurturing Your Soul

Hatha Yoga:

For leading stress-free and healthy life, it is important to perform physical activities. You can opt for them in the form of yoga. Hatha yoga is a branch of yoga. Various asanas, breathing methods, and meditation techniques are a part of Hatha yoga. Apart from them, various Mudras, Bandhas, and Kriyas also come under Hatha yoga. All of these provide fitness to your body as well as your mind. This yoga is very popular among yoga practitioners. 

The word ‘Hatha’ belongs to the Sanskrit language and it stands for ‘force’ or ‘effort’. So, Hatha yoga meaning to perform such poses correctly that need effort along with a proper breathing pattern. It helps to create a sync among mind, body, and soul and aids in the overall well-being of a person. 

As far as its suitability is concerned, this yoga is suitable for all age groups, and people having varying fitness levels can go for this yoga. It will help them in getting relief from various ailments they are suffering from. It is especially useful for those people who are looking to reduce stress, anxiety, and other mental issues.

Origin of Hatha Yoga:

Hatha yoga originated in India in 600 BC. Its founder was the great sage Patanjali. He wanted to introduce such yoga that could bring balance to the body, mind, and soul. This form of yoga gave importance to diet, the purification process, the regulation of breathing patterns, along with the adoption of bodily poses. The people of that time started to get the benefits of this yoga. And with time, Hatha yoga began to gain popularity. It has become widely popular in the West as well. 

If we talk about modern Hatha yoga, then its credit goes to Tirumalai Krishnamacharya. He opened the first Hatha Yoga school in Mysore in 1924 and in 1936. His three brilliant students, B.K.S. Iyengar, T.K.V. Desikachar, and Pattabhi Jois, continued his legacy and increased the popularity of Hatha Yoga.

Why Hatha Yoga is Important?

If you are planning to start yoga, then it will be good to go for Hatha yoga. Hatha yoga is important to improve your flexibility, balance, strength, and concentration. These will prove to be useful for you when you decide to go for more complex yoga. It will also open your energy channels. But one must start Hatha yoga under the supervision of some expert so that the correct technique of doing asanas can be learned. Moreover, the poses of Hatha yoga are needed to be maintained for a longer period of time.

Principles of Hatha Yoga:

The six principles of Hatha yoga are concerned with the six limbs. These principles are:

• The principle of Asana represents a steady and comfortable state of body and mind.
• The principle of Pranayama extends the capacity to retain breath.
• The principle of Pratyahara controls your senses.
• The principle of Dharana is concerned with focusing the mind on one single point.
• The principle of Dhyana is related to self-observation.
• The principle of Samadhi is helpful in making free yourself from worldly pleasures.

Hatha Yoga Asanas:

Many asanas are performed under Hatha yoga. Here we are going to mention some of them along with their brief description:

• Tadasana or Mountain Pose: This asana is performed while standing. So, it helps to improve posture and balance of the body.
• Uttanasana or Forward Fold: In this asana, the body is folded in the forward direction. The hamstrings are stretched and stress and tension are relieved.
• Trikonasana or Triangle Pose: This is also performed while standing. This stretches the hips, hamstrings, and shoulders, and improves body balance and concentration.
• Bhujangasana or Cobra Pose: This is performed by bending the back. It makes the back muscles strong and stretches the chest, shoulders, and abdomen.
• Adho Mukha Svanasana or Downward-Facing Dog: This is an inverted pose that stretches the hamstrings, calves, and spine, and strengthens the arms and shoulders.
• Balasana or Child’s Pose: This is a resting pose. It helps to release tension from the back and neck and calms the mind.
• Vrikshasana or Tree Pose: This asana is performed while standing. It helps to improve balance and stability in the body. It stretches the hips and thighs as well.
• Navasana or Boat Pose: This asana is performed in a seated position. It makes core muscles strong and improves the balance of the body and concentration power.
• Savasana or Corpse Pose: This is a pose that is performed with a relaxed body. It helps to release tension and induce deep relaxation.

Props that can be used in Hatha Yoga Asanas:

Some common props can be used while performing Hatha yoga asanas:

• Meditation Cushion
• Bolster
• Yoga block
• Blanket
• Strap

Advantages of Hatha Yoga:

The regular practice of Hatha yoga can have several benefits for your physical as well as mental health. These benefits of Hatha Yoga are mentioned below:

• As it stretches the muscles, the body starts to gain flexibility.
• It makes the body parts strong.
• It helps to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression and always keeps you cheerful.
• It calms your body and mind.
• It helps to improve your body posture with the help of strengthening and balancing exercises.
• It helps to make balance and coordination better.
• It helps to maintain blood pressure levels.
• It keeps your heart in good health and reduces the risk of heart strokes.
• It helps in improving concentration power and maintaining focus.
• It helps in relaxing your mind so that you can enjoy sound sleep.
• It helps to strengthen core muscles.
• It enhances mindfulness.
• It improves blood flow in the spinal cord and brain.
• It rejuvenates the ligaments.
• It cleanses the body by stimulating the lymphatic system.
• It keeps you energetic.
• It helps you in being an emotionally balanced person.
• It improves creativity.

Conclusion:

Although Hatha yoga is suitable for every age group and fitness level, it should be performed with utmost care. There are some exceptions where this yoga will not be suitable:

• If the person is in the category of ‘very senior citizen.’
• If the person is having a severe injury.
• If the person is suffering from severe neck or spine injury.
• If the person has knee problems.