| HATHA YOGA | ||
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Hatha Yoga springs from the teaching about the two sides of our being: the ability to act and the ability to reflect. “Ha” is symbolized by the sun, the warm, creative and physical side of our being. “Tha” by the moon, the cool, receptive and psychic side. Taken together, the term stands for 'union of force'. The purifying processes of Hatha Yoga create a foundation that maintains a harmonious balance in the body. Hatha Yoga concentrates on the third (asana) and fourth (pranayama) steps in the Eight Limbs of Yoga. It combines with the physical poses (asana) and breathing exercises (pranayama) to cure and prevent psychosomatic (between thoughts/emotions and body/tension/energy) diseases and to energize and clear the energy channels called the Nadis, removing the obstacles for the other Limbs - Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, and Samadhi. Asanas are designed to improve health and bring energy to the body and mind, which is necessary in opening the Nadis. It can also serve as a Meditation pose that can make you feel perfectly comfortable for a longer period of time. Mastering the Asanas can help develop your will power, concentration (Dharana) and withdrawal of all your senses inward (pratyahara). Practicing Hatha Yoga can help you recognize that a divine light shines within you. It can also help you become stronger, more flexible and relaxed. The relaxation exercises involved in practicing Hatha Yoga opens the energy channels allowing your spiritual energy to flow freely. Certain Asanas also massages and tones internal organs, which facilitates in the prevention, management and treatment of certain ailments such as diabetes, arthritis and hypertension. Breathing Exercises can also help patients of asthma and bronchitis. Hatha Yoga practice is also a great way to cope with stress, relieve tension and deal with anxiety and depression. Hatha Yoga attaches a lot of importance to the perfect physical form, believing it to be a way of attaining spiritual perfection. | “He who seeth inaction in action and action in inaction, he is wise among men; he is a yogi and performer of all actions.” ~ Bhagavad Gita, The Yoga of Wisdom, Chapter 4 Verse 18 |