Hatha Yoga
What is Hatha?
The word hatha means "wilful" or "forceful", although Hatha yoga as it is known in the west is actually one of the gentler forms of yoga. Hatha yoga refers to a set of physical exercises (known as asana or postures) designed to increase flexibility and build strength and stamina. Hatha yoga is a powerful tool for self-transformation. It asks us to bring our attention to our breath, which helps us to still the fluctuations of the mind and be more present in the unfolding of each moment.
How is Yoga Different?
Unlike other stretching or fitness classes, in a yoga class you get more than just physical postures.
Yoga allows you to take as much or as little as you wish. If you simply want to improve your posture, and stretch and tone your muscles, that's okay.
If you also want to relax your mind and improve your breathing it offers you that too, and if you'd like to explore a little deeper and tune into the subtler aspects of yourself, then yoga can show you that path as well.
Yoga is a unique fitness practice because we work to bring together the movement of the body with the fluctuations of the mind and the breath. Connecting the mind, body, and breath helps us to focus and allows us to bring the attention inward.
By bringing the attention inward we become more aware of our experiences from moment to moment. This awareness is what makes yoga a practice, rather than a task or a goal to be completed. It is an on-going journey that could just take us to peace itself...
The word hatha means "wilful" or "forceful", although Hatha yoga as it is known in the west is actually one of the gentler forms of yoga. Hatha yoga refers to a set of physical exercises (known as asana or postures) designed to increase flexibility and build strength and stamina. Hatha yoga is a powerful tool for self-transformation. It asks us to bring our attention to our breath, which helps us to still the fluctuations of the mind and be more present in the unfolding of each moment.
How is Yoga Different?
Unlike other stretching or fitness classes, in a yoga class you get more than just physical postures.
Yoga allows you to take as much or as little as you wish. If you simply want to improve your posture, and stretch and tone your muscles, that's okay.
If you also want to relax your mind and improve your breathing it offers you that too, and if you'd like to explore a little deeper and tune into the subtler aspects of yourself, then yoga can show you that path as well.
Yoga is a unique fitness practice because we work to bring together the movement of the body with the fluctuations of the mind and the breath. Connecting the mind, body, and breath helps us to focus and allows us to bring the attention inward.
By bringing the attention inward we become more aware of our experiences from moment to moment. This awareness is what makes yoga a practice, rather than a task or a goal to be completed. It is an on-going journey that could just take us to peace itself...