You must already be aware of the fact that, yoga is a 5,000-year-old science, that was handed over by Lord Shiva to the mortal sages, who inhabited earth at that time. It slowly spread, after each one of the sages chose to transfer the knowledge to their disciples, based in different parts of India. Thus, it goes without saying, that Yoga’s birth place is India. The Best Yoga School in Rishikesh will teach you the most authentic form of Hatha Yoga.
In Sanskrit, ‘Hatha’ means ‘stubborn’. So, the meaning of Hatha Yoga mainly translates into the stubborn practice of yoga. Generally, people are of the idea, that Hatha yoga consists of only asanas. However, there is a lot more, than asanas in yoga. Yoga is a combination of poses or asanas, meditation, and Pranayama. You will be amazed to know, that asanas are the sixth component of the path. Hatha Yoga mainly originates from Raja Yoga. You can also call it a simpler form of Raja Yoga. So, no matter which yoga form you are practicing, you are actually doing Hatha Yoga. The main tools that make it up are asanas, pranayama, mudras, bandhas, kriyas, and mantras.
History of Hatha Yoga
You will learn about the history of Hatha Yoga, in the 200 Hr Kundalini Yoga Teacher Training in India. But, before you delve deep into the realm of yogic history, it makes sense to know about the basics. Swami Swatmaramji, a saint from the 15th century compiled the now widely read, Hatha Yoga Pradipika. It explains yoga without the Niyamas and Yamas, as the Six limb yoga. Thus, it is believed that you can achieve Samadhi without going through the long process, like the eight-limb yoga. He believed that it was much easier to master the mind, by first concentrating on the body. Once, the body is fit and free from all diseases, one can move onto the intricacies of the mind. If the body is healthy, the growth of spirituality begins in an uninhibited manner.
So, summing up the same, all the yoga that you practice is Hatha Yoga, but the other way is not necessarily true. Hatha Yoga is very gentle yoga, but it can be quite challenging physically and mentally. Most Hatha Yoga classes last for 45-90 minutes. More often than not, the Hatha Yoga class starts with a warm-up. Then the practitioner navigates to simple poses, then advance poses, and finally basic poses, and then, relaxation. The classes mostly end with subtle pranayama or meditation. Here is a break up of a typical Hatha Yoga class for you.
- Warm-up – It is one of the first things, that you will do, as a part of the yoga class. Surya Namaskars can help you to get into the rhythm of the series of asanas. You will be performing several different asanas, as a part of the practice. It provides warm up to the spine and the other muscle groups in the body.
- Breathing – The Hatha Yoga class teaches you to focus on your breath, while you are at it. It is called Pranayama. You must get the breathing patterns right, to enjoy all the benefits of the class. Breathing also has a huge role to play in maintaining the longevity of any species.
- Poses – Yoga poses or the asanas, is what most people identify yoga with. And it is definitely a part of the course or learnings. These help in the development of proper balance, stability, flexibility, and strength. If you feel at anytime during the class, that a pose is seemingly difficult, your teacher will right away suggest you a modification.
- Meditation – Meditation is the third-most important component of a Hatha Yoga class. You are required to reflect on your being, in this part of the class. Most teachers at a school in Rishikesh, will guide you through the meditation process. It can be termed as Guided meditation.
This is the exact schedule, that is followed in the 200 Hr Kundalini Yoga Teacher Training in India.
The most common aids and props, that are used in a Hatha Yoga class are cushions, bolsters, yoga blocks, straps, and blankets. They will help you to make difficult poses more accessible. Once you are comfortable with the pose, as the body gets supple through practice, you can move ahead in the course.
How is Hatha Yoga Different From Other Styles?
The Best Yoga School in Rishikesh will teach you various styles, among which Hatha Yoga is one. It is one of the main foundations of a yoga career. If you intend to become a Yoga expert or teacher, you have to know and master the intricacies of Hatha Yoga, after which you can move onto the other styles.
- In Hatha Yoga, you have to hold a posture for at least 1-5 minutes, whereas, in other modern styles, you have to change positions fast. It is more of a dynamic flow type of yoga.
- In Hatha Yoga, the metabolism decreases at first, but in other yoga styles, metabolism increases.
- In Hatha Yoga, the main concentration is on the internal organs and the spine. However, in the other forms of yoga, the concentration is on the muscle groups and joints.
- Your body will be subjected to less stress during a Hatha Yoga class.
- You also require less oxygen to do Hatha Yoga.
- The stillness of the mind is more important, in the practice of Hatha Yoga.
In a Hatha Yoga class, or course to be more specific, you will be learning almost 84 asanas. They mostly comprise of standing, seating, lying down, and meditative poses. Some o the most popular postures, that you will be performing as a part of the process are Sirsasana, Halasana, Sarvangasana, Matsyasana, Paschimottasana, Bhujangasana, Mayurasana, Natraj asana, and Vrikshasana.
Hatha Yoga has immense health benefits, like release of your anxiety or tension, alleviation of arthritis pain, relief from depression, relief from back pain, relief from the physical symptoms of menopause, and so on. If you are a beginner, and want to make yoga your career, you should start with the 200 Hr Kundalini Yoga Teacher Training in India.