Hatha yoga is the branch of yoga which typically comes to mind when you think of yoga in general terms. The practice of hatha yoga includes breath, body and mind. Classes usually consist of 45 minutes to 90 minutes of breathing; yoga poses as well as meditation. Research shows that hatha yoga helps to relieve stress, support healthy habits, improve emotional health, ease back and arthritis pain, and even help people to quit smoking.
The term “hatha” is traditionally thought of as the “yoga of force”, which relates less to a forceful state and more to a state of discipline during the practice of asana (yoga poses).
In practical terms, “hatha” is the basis of all asana practices in yoga including vinyasa flow as well as power. So, chances are good that if you are presently practising flow-style yoga, you will be well-versed in the poses of hatha.
The Differentiating Factor
What sets this yoga apart from flow-style yoga is the lack of the flowing movements in and out of asana. Emphasis is put on the breath while holding poses static for 5-10 breaths and then simply moving into the next pose. Hatha allows for more time in between each pose to practise using breath in order to open up the pose, as well as consider how the mind responds to periods of stillness.
What Are The Benefits Of Hatha Yoga?
Research has frequently shown that hatha yoga has a wide range of benefits for both mental as well as physical health. Some of the most significant include the following.
Better Sleep
Doing yoga can not only assist people with falling asleep faster but can also improve their quality of sleep.
Reduce Stress
People who do hatha yoga right before tackling a stressful task have lower blood pressure and cortisol levels compared to those who watched TV beforehand instead.
Relieve Neck And Back Pain
Yoga can help to prevent and manage lower back pain by enhancing posture, strengthening core muscles, and correcting spinal imbalances.
Lower Levels Of Depression
Yoga can boost levels of feel-good neurotransmitters such as serotonin and gamma-aminobutyric acid, which calm and regulate mood.
Strengthen Flexibility
Yoga exercises should be suggested to the elderly in order to increase their range of motion in the joints as well as enhance their muscle flexibility.
If you’re new to yoga, a slower-paced, alignment-based class is ideal for learning some of the most common yoga poses. Look for words such as beginner, gentle, or restorative. While many gyms and yoga studios offer hatha-style classes, you could also use one of the many yoga apps and online videos to try this style at home. However, seek guidance via a virtual instructor.
Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy
Do you want to see what it takes to become a Yoga instructor? If you do then you should check out our Yoga Instructor Course. For more information, please follow this link.
