
Hatha yoga is probably very familiar to yogis, but for those who are just starting to practice yoga, what the term hatha yoga is and what its meaning is is still a mystery.
Hatha yoga is a popular practice in many parts of the world. This type is easily accessible and focuses on health and well-being. This makes it very important in combating the negative effects of the surrounding environment. The following article of easyhealthylive.com will share more closely with you what hatha yoga is, the process of formation and development as well as the special meaning of this type of yoga.
What is Hatha yoga?
Hatha yoga is the most popular form of yoga practiced in the US. This is a branch of yoga that specifically focuses on physical and mental health. Hatha yoga uses postures (asanas), breathing techniques (pranayama) and meditation (dyana), with the aim of bringing about a healthy body and peaceful mind.
There are nearly 200 hatha yoga poses with hundreds of different variations, to help keep the spine flexible and promote circulation between organs and tissues. The hatha yoga pose also helps to stretch the body, keeping the body balanced and supple.
Origin and development of hatha yoga
Hatha yoga has changed a lot since the concept was conceived. It is a comprehensive life philosophy that connects people with the world, helping to keep peace of mind. The original writings are the yoga classics of Patanjali Maharishi, consisting of 196 sutras written in Sanskrit around AD 400.
In his work, Patanjali describes this discipline as consisting of eight limbs or schools and calls it the eight-way path. There are many other texts that refer to hatha yoga, but the most classic is still the one by Patanjali.
Patanjali – author of the classic book on hatha yoga
Most young people don’t know about Patanjali’s classic book on yoga. They enjoy the practice of yoga without noticing or delving into the history and philosophy of the form. Modern Hatha yoga has responded to this need with classes for those with busy schedules.
Classes spend more time on practicing yoga as a regular exercise and minimizing other aspects. But for those who are truly passionate and want yoga to be a part of their lives, the 8 chi philosophy will show them the way.
The 8 limbs of yoga form a moral code to help practitioners lead happier and more meaningful lives. The 8 limbs include yamas, niyama, asanas, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana and samadhi.
1. Yamas
Yamas focuses on man’s relationship with his surroundings. It is expressed through 5 ethical rules:
- Ahimsa (Doesn’t Hurt)
- Satya (Sincerity)
- Asteya (Do not steal)
- Bramacharya (Humble)
- Aparigraha ( Generosity )
2. Niyamas
Niyamas represent a connection with the person himself. It is expressed through 5 ethical rules:
- Sauca (Purity)
- Santosa (Satisfaction)
- Tapas (Self-realization)
- Svadhyaya (Self-study)
- Isvara Pranidhana (Sacred)
3. Asanas
Asanas include postures practiced in yoga. These poses help people develop discipline and concentration. This helps you master your body to sit still and meditate for long periods of time.
4. Pranayama
Pranayama are breathing techniques used to control prana or vital force, helping you to feel alert, self-aware, and calm.
5. Pratyahara
Pratyahara is a form of focusing the senses, attempting to push out distractions from the outside world. This process helps you control your cravings and emotions.
6. Dharana
Dharana is concentration. After removing the surrounding distractions, the mind can fully focus on a single point, idea, or object.
7. Dhyana
Dhyana is uninterrupted, complete awareness without concentration. This experience requires a sense of openness, ease, and calm.
8. Samadhi
Samadhi is a deep bond with all living things. It is also called enlightenment.
The benefits of hatha yoga cannot be ignored
It is not natural that this method is very popular and wants to try. Maybe it, hatha yoga exercises are the way to help you improve your health and improve your spirit.
Relax your mind
When you do Hatha exercises, your mind is completely relaxed and unaffected by anything from the outside world. You become more aware of your habit of thinking or reacting to situations, judging them as right or wrong.
Spiritual awakening
By releasing energy throughout the body and balancing the opposite aspects of who you are, Hatha exercises are clearly and specifically formulated. When the body’s energy is opened, these two opposites are balanced. At this point your body facilitates spiritual awakening.
Health therapy
- Gentle poses that focus on stretching the spine help relieve chronic neck pain.
- Poses that focus on inversions, forward and backward bends calm the mind and relieve sinusitis.
- Other poses can help alleviate anxiety, asthma, carpal tunnel syndrome, insomnia, sciatica and a host of other problems.
- Hatha Yoga also helps with problems related to menstruation and infertility.
- Yoga is popular with people with aches and pains, such as those with arthritis or osteoarthritis, as gentle asanas can promote flexibility and improve fitness.
- Many people feel that yoga also has the effect of stabilizing blood pressure, regulating blood circulation, reducing inflammation, and alleviating symptoms of depression.
- One study also showed that yoga can improve insomnia even without the use of sleeping pills.
Lose weight and keep fit
Yoga doesn’t burn as many calories as high-intensity sports, but you can still lose weight with regular yoga practice. To maximize your weight loss when exercising, you should control the amount of carbs you put into your body properly, eat more vegetables, drink more water and, importantly, combine a healthy lifestyle.
Immune system building
When performing the postures of Hatha Yoga is also when you contract and stretch the muscles. Simultaneously move the organs around and in and out of yoga poses.
This causes the lymph to increase drainage, which helps the lymphatic system. Increases the ability to fight infection, destroys cancer cells. At the same time, it treats the toxic wastes of cellular function, thereby contributing to a better immune system through hatha yoga.
Keeping your spine strong
We probably know that most of our nerves branch from the spine. Then comes the connections between the different organ systems and the brain. Enough to see the vital plate of the spine, if it becomes stiff. Internal organs become weak and disease is inevitable.
Maintaining Hatha Yoga practice will help you change this while making your spine strong. It also keeps it supple and ensures that the nerves are always strong.
>>> See more: List 7 benefits of hatha yoga
Meaning of hatha yoga
Literally, the word hatha is effort or force and is important when designating the physical branch of yoga. First, hatha yoga refers to the all-effort approach to yoga.
Normally, you’ll start with visible effort (like postures), then work your way up to more difficult exercises (like breathing, energy-intensive poses, and muscles to direct the flow of energy in your body). body) before moving on to the final level of meditation.
This is the type that requires a lot of effort and perseverance
Besides, the term hatha is also a reminder that you must keep working if you hope to make progress in your practice. Simply put, many people think that the spiritual path will be easier than it actually is.
In fact, you often get bored and let yourself be tempted. This is the path of effort to remind you that mental training takes as much effort as physical exercise, and that efforts should not be left in vain. The yoga term of effort refers to efforts that are completely natural and normal, which will ultimately help you stay positive and on track.
Reference source
The Meaning of Hatha Yoga http://www.thelivingyogablog.com/the-meaning-of-hatha-yoga-and-no-its-not-sun-moon/ Accessed: 9/2/2020
Hatha Yoga https://www.encyclopedia.com/medicine/divisions-diagnostics-and-procedures/medicine/hatha-yoga Accessed: 9/2/2020
Hatha Yoga: The History, Philosophy and How It’s Changed https://www.doyogawithme.com/hatha-yoga-history Accessed: 9/2/2020

John Alen was born in 1971 and is a doctor in the healthcare and psychology fields with many years of experience. He is currently working at easyhealthylive.com, a leading health and psychology blog. Having studied at Y1 National Medical University named after IM Sechenov, John Alen is using his knowledge and experience to help improve the physical and mental health of people in the United States.