Part two in our series is all about Hatha Yoga.
This type of yoga nearly EVErYONE has heard of, most commonly referred to, and the one people often refer to as “Beginner friendly”.
So what is Hatha and its benefits to us?
Hatha is the most commonly known form of yoga and as a rule, can include most styles under one umbrella.
Hatha is an older system which under the definition includes “asanas” yoga poses, “pranayama” breathing styles, and a deep form of “meditation” Relaxation.
When a person thinks of Hatha they think of sweat and relaxation.
Or maybe you feel a sense of comfort, relief, and excitement knowing that you are going to leave your class with that well-earned “yoga-stoned” feeling at the end.
Yes “Yoga Stoned” is a real feeling, it was coined years ago when classes left feeling their body, mind, and soul so deeply relaxed that it was kin to feeling stoned.
Today, however, when the word Hatha is used it can be difficult to really know if you are going to the “general hatha” description or the newer version.
This newer version should still be slower and great for any beginner or student who likes a more relaxed style.
But the reality is it could mean a fusion or faster styles.
The version of Hatha I teach is the original version, the slower style, each pose is held for a minimum of 5 breaths and is far more relaxed than other classes like the Vinyasa style.
If you want to find out about what style, my suggestion would be to call the studio you are thinking of, but also as students you see coming in or out to get a real sense of what the “Hatha style” taught really is like.
What are the benefits of Hatha Yoga?
- Strength – stronger muscles
- Flexibility – easier to move
- balance-muscle strength leads to better balance with core building
- Some aerobic conditioning- depending on heart rate increase.
- Depending on whether breath work is incorporated
- Increase flow of oxygen to the body which helps promote healing & relaxation
- stimulates endorphins, brain chemicals that help fight depression
What is a general Hatha Sequence?
A general hatha sequence starts with…
- Standing poses – Warriors, gate, tree … etc
- kneeling poses – cat-cow, camel, downward dog etc
- Seated poses -Bound angle, forward folds, cow face etc
- Supine poses – cobra, sphinx, supine pigeon etc
- Corpse pose – Savasana.
This is the usual program taught to the beginner student & teacher in training to get a good grounding of what is needed for a balanced overall body class.
That doesn’t mean that your teacher is doing it all wrong or that they aren’t teaching hatha because they do it differently.
I teach my classes in many different ways sometimes starting on the mat, other times standing.
But what is always the case is that we always have a flow of Yin and yang poses with relaxation at the end.
So what if you can’t find a teacher you click with?
If you really want to practice some form of yoga “youtube” is a fantastic place to start, especially if you’re not comfortable, confident, or ready to join group classes.
You can then practice in your own home, and create a space that allows for you to feel and be authentic to you without feeling expectations.
Sometimes, the best place to start is actually the dining room chair or table.
Placing a leg up and feeling that inner thigh stretch can really trigger an adrenalin rush that makes your body feel like more.
The main thing with any of the “yoga styles” that I share over the coming months is that when you read, try, and feel them you can make that informed decision about what YOU want from a practice.
Always remember “yoga” is about you and you alone, not the person in the magazine, not the person on the video, not the person on the mat beside you…
YOU!!!
Embrace, enjoy, experiment and repeat… eventually you will find something you love…
Next months is on Vinyasa Yoga….
To join a workshop head to my website for the online March Dates.
Keep smiling everyone xx
YoZenQi Holistic - Megen Hibbins 