What Is Hatha Yoga? (1)

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What Is Hatha Yoga?
The Roots Of Hatha Yoga Hatha yoga is a broad
term which refers to an Indian tradition of
spiritual and physical practices to prepare the
yogi (student) to achieve a higher state of
consciousness. Encompassed within are a set of
ethical guidelines and correct behaviours to help
the practitioner ascend to an enlightened state.
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The goal being to finally free oneself from the
wheel of birth and rebirth (re-incarnation and
karma). Hatha yoga practice therefore has many
elements behavioural, spiritual and
physical. In our westernised culture, Hatha yoga
is mostly understood as asanas (physical
postures) and is largely practiced as such. In
Indian and Tibetan traditions Hatha yoga is
however much more, extending well beyond a
sophisticated set of physical exercises to ideas
of ethical living, physical and spiritual
cleansing, breath control, meditation and
ascention to a higher state of being.
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Hatha Yoga Classes Today The practice of Hatha
yoga as we experience classes today have evolved
away from being an ethical way of life and being
to a practice of the physical postures with some
styles emphasising the more energetic aspects
such as breathing exercises, chanting and
meditation practices. Hatha yoga does remain
about bringing balance to both body and mind,
with Ha representing the energetic elements of
the sun while tha represents those of the moon.
The sequence of poses and counterposes within
most Hatha yoga classes, opening with a Sun
Salutation (Suryanamaskar) and closing with
Relaxation (Savasana) aims to bring balance to
the opposing energetic forces within us. A yoga
class described as Hatha will usually involve a
set of physical postures (yoga asanas) and
breathing techniques, practised more slowly and
with more static postures than for example a
Vinyasa flow or Ashtanga class. Hatha yoga is
therefore a more traditional presentation of
postures taught in a methodical way and less
stylised than modern varieties which have emerged
over recent decades. Classes advertised as Hatha
may be a more appropriate starting point for
those new to yoga and exercise to ensure they
have grasped safe and proper technique before
advancing into, for example, Vinyasa Flow or
Power Yoga style classes.
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Yoga Classes in Glasgow For All levels and
Abilities Drop in classes, beginners courses
and one to one yoga tuition are available with
Deborah of Restoring Balance. Visit our yoga
classes glasgow page for more info Or simply
give Deborah a call or complete our online
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