You can expect to see several impressive benefits from practicing hatha yoga, including reduced anxiety levels and improvements in balance, strength, and endurance. So let’s answer the question, what is hatha yoga?
What is Hatha Yoga?
Hatha yoga is a broad term for any yoga style that combines poses with breathing techniques. It places a heavy emphasis on mastering static holds and is one of the oldest and most popular forms of yoga in the world, especially in the United States. Let’s discuss the methodology of hatha yoga, its origins, and how you can become an expert.
Hatha yoga is one of the most methodical branches of yoga. The transitions between poses are supposed to be unrushed, and practitioners must hold each pose for a prolonged period. It’s slowed down compared to other traditional forms of yoga, which makes it appealing to a wider audience.
Hatha yoga also addresses the common problem of burnout among beginners. It allows you to work on the fundamentals and understand the purpose of each pose instead of going through the motions and rushing the session. Proper alignment is the key to mastering this yoga style.
Hatha Yoga Sequencing
A standard hatha yoga class usually begins with a moment of guided meditation – sometimes called a centering exercise – to get the participants in the proper mental state. From there, the teacher will guide the class through the various hatha yoga poses and work toward a specific “peak pose.”
The teacher breaks down each pose’s details, which forces you to pay attention and prevents your mind from wandering. The slow pace also encourages you to focus on your balance and breathing. If you tend to get bored or distracted during your current yoga sessions, hatha yoga will fix this problem.
Mastering your form ensures you’re getting the most out of each pose. This benefit is especially important for people with sedentary jobs. If you spend all day sitting at a cramped desk, hatha yoga can work wonders for your back and help you improve your mobility.
Hatha yoga is also convenient for beginners because it only requires one piece of equipment – a regular yoga mat. Other forms of yoga incorporate kettlebells or exercise bands, but these tools aren’t necessary for an effective hatha yoga session.
Hatha Yoga Roots
Hatha is an ancient term derived from the Sanskrit words “ha” and “tha,” which mean “sun” and “moon.” This dual meaning represents hatha yoga’s balanced life philosophy. Just as the world balances these two energies, we must balance our internal and external experiences. Another translation for hatha is “force,” which alludes to hatha’s physical challenges.
In the famous collection of ancient texts called “Yoga Sutras,” Indian yoga pioneer Patanjali describes hatha as a path that follows the eight ashtanga or mind-body disciplines:
- Yamas: Social observances.
- Niyamas: Moral observances.
- Asana: Yoga posing techniques.
- Pranayama: Breathing techniques.
- Pratyahara: Withdrawal of the senses.
- Dharana: Concentration.
- Dhyana: Meditation.
- Samadhi: Enlightenment or bliss.
Just like any other form of yoga or meditation, hatha yoga seeks to transcend the body-mind conflict and understand the nature of the human self. Physical, mental, and emotional healing are always the ultimate goals.
Since its beginnings, hatha has evolved to become a catch-all term for other popular yoga styles in the Western world, including ashtanga, vinyasa, and iyengar. These styles have their own intricacies, but they all have roots in the philosophy and techniques of hatha yoga.
Hatha Yoga Certification
If you wish to become a certified hatha yoga instructor, you must earn at least a level three qualification from an accredited yoga training organization that offers hatha-specific courses. A level three qualification includes training in the following subjects:
- Human anatomy and physiology
- Yoga pose tutorials
- Safety procedures during yoga
- Planning and executing a full yoga class
Different hatha certification programs have varying lengths, but the minimum time requirement for most studios is 200 hours of yoga instructor training. If you want to become a top-ranking specialist in hatha, you might have to complete a 400- or 500-hour course to set yourself apart from other instructors.
Start Your Wellness Journey with Hatha Yoga
Deciding which type of yoga to pursue can be confusing for beginners. This guide will help you make an informed decision. Hatha yoga is the perfect introduction to the world of mindful exercise. It’s slow, detail-oriented, and covers all of yoga’s most important principles. Start your wellness journey with a hatha yoga session at your nearest studio!
Meta: Hatha yoga is a broad term for any yoga style that combines poses with breathing techniques. Learn more about hatha yoga to start your wellness journey.
About the Author
Mia Barnes is a health and wellness freelance writer and practicing yogi with a passion for holistic wellness. Mia has been covering yoga-related topics for over 3 years and is the founder and editor-in-chief of Body+Mind Magazine, an online healthy living publication.
