Hatha YogaHatha Yoga is actually what most people simply call "yoga".
This is a system of Yoga pioneered in India by a 15th century yogic sage, Yogi Swatmarama. Hatha Yoga is a system of yoga most popular in the world – particularly in the West – and from which many other Yoga styles originated including Power Yoga, Bikram Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga, and Kundalini Yoga.
Literally speaking, the word "Hatha" is derived from the Sanskrit terms "ha" meaning "sun" and "tha" meaning "moon". For this reason, Hatha Yoga is referred to as that branch of Yoga which unites the pairs of opposites.
This refers to the positive (sun) and negative (moon) currents in our system. Hatha Yoga is concerned with the third and fourth steps – Asana and Pranayama – in the 8 limbs of Yoga.
The goal of Hatha Yoga is to attain that balance between body and mind, while making attempts to free the more subtle spiritual elements of the practitioner’s mind through physical poses (Asanas), Breathing Techniques (Pranayama), and Meditation (Dhyana).
Hatha Yoga practice helps recognize one’s own hidden potentials – physical and mental. By the continued performance of asanas, the practitioner gains flexibility and strength, and becomes more and more relaxed under stressful conditions. Hatha Yoga's relaxation exercises help unlock the energy channels that, in turn facilitates the free flow of spiritual energy. Certain asanas even massage and tone up the internal organs, thereby helping to prevent diseases like diabetes, arthritis, and BP. They also help harmonize and synchronize all internal and glandular functions. On the other hand, the practice of Pranayama helps manage conditions such as asthma and bronchitis.
Above all Hatha Yoga also helps the practitioner cope with stress, relieve tension, and deal with depression and anxiety. It also helps focus the mind in preparation for meditation and, ultimately, in the quest for Liberation.
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