The fundamentals of yoga: all about Hatha yoga

Hatha-yoga_everything-about-Hatha-yoga

The ins and outs of Hatha yoga

Hatha yoga is thé yoga style for beginning yogis. You learn to control your breath and bring your body and mind together. In short, it provides you with all the tools you need for the practice of yoga. In this blog, you’ll learn all about Hatha yoga and how to safely progress to other styles as a beginner.

What is Hatha yoga?

Hatha yoga is often seen as the foundation of yoga, because it is the starting point for many physical yoga styles. So it is no surprise that it is one of the most popular forms of yoga. In Hatha yoga, you hold the poses longer, which teaches you to stay in an asana longer. It isn’t just about strengthening your body. You also get to work on your inner strength. This way, you create more awareness of your own body. How do I feel? What emotions are arising? These are questions you will probably ask yourself during the yoga practice. This will help you get to know yourself better, which is perfect if you are just starting out with yoga.

Balance your mind and body

The main goal of Hatha yoga is to bring your body and mind together. Now you are probably wondering what this means. We can explain. Your body and mind are connected. For example, if you are stressed, your body will also experience discomfort. And, vice versa, more physical activity makes for a clearer brain and better mood. Combining yoga postures with breathing exercises will calm your mind and fight tension in your body. So your body and mind come back into balance.

Better breathing

With Hatha yoga you will improve your flexibility and strength, but you are also working a lot on improving your breathing. Breathing exercises, or Pranayama, are used very often in a Hatha yoga practice. These exercises increase the awareness of your breath. This way, you’ll learn to control your breath during your yoga practice.
Expand your potential one breath at a time
A variety of breaths are used in a Hatha yoga class. Each breath has a different purpose. For example, detoxifying your body, reaching a meditative state or regulating your emotions. There is so much you can do when you focus on your breathing. What all breaths have in common? More oxygen in your body! This results in lower brood pressure, better metabolism and more relaxation. Go try it out!

Hatha yoga_ Breathing exercises

The ideal yoga style for beginners: Hatha yoga

Are you new to the world of yoga and have no idea where to start? Then Hatha yoga is the perfect fit! This is because a Hatha yoga practice consists of many basic asanas. These are clearly explained during the yoga class, so you can be sure you have the right alignment. No injuries for you!
Hatha yoga is a complete form of yoga that combines the most important elements of yoga. Physical exercises, breathing techniques and meditation; it is all applied, so you can develop all the skills and techniques step by step. With a Hatha foundation, you can progress to other yoga forms more easily.

Back to the roots

Even if you have been doing yoga for a longer time, a Hatha yoga practice is still a good idea. If you read a book for the second time or watch a film again, you will notice new things you hadn’t noticed before. The same goes for Hatha yoga. It can be fun to go back to a Hatha class sometime. Who knows, you might discover something new! This can add depth to your yoga practice.

Sun Salutation

The sun salutation, or Surya Namaskar, is a 12-step ritual common in Hatha yoga. It forms the basis for Ashtanga and Vinyasa yoga, two styles that are derived from the original Hatha yoga. The sun salutation is often done as a warm-up for further yoga movements, but is also a yoga practice in its own.
Your health gets a good boost from the sun salutation. In this practice, you’ll learn to harmonize your body’s movements with your breath. Your breath sets the pace. Everything in your body is balanced by the smooth movements, returning to the centre each time. It forms the basis of everything you need in yoga and keeps you flexible and healthy.

What do you wear to Hatha yoga?

As with other styles, it is important that you wear comfortable yoga clothing during Hatha yoga. Enough freedom of movement is key, so look for stretchy yoga wear for women. This prevents you from getting distracted by tight yoga wear. For example, choose a nice pair of yoga pants made of organic cotton. This fabric breathes nicely, which is ideal for people with sensitive skin. Pair it with a soft women’s yoga top, and you’re good to go!