Hatha Yoga

Hatha Yoga is a particular system of Yoga established by Yogi Swatmarama, a sage of 15th century India, and is also known as the compiler of the Hatha Yoga Pradipika. Hatha Yoga is meant to be a type of Yoga that is 'a stairway to the heights of Raja Yoga', therefore a preliminary stage of physical purification that prepares the body for the practice of higher meditation.

Hatha Yoga is a form of Yoga that includes moral disciplines, physical exercise that encompasses posture, breathing control and meditation. The type of Hatha Yoga that is practiced in the West consists mostly of postures and exercise.

This form of Yoga represents the opposite energies of hot and cold, male and female, positive and negative. Hatha Yoga endeavors to balance mind and body by means of physical exercises, controlled breathing, and the soothing of the mind with relaxation and meditation. It teaches good posture, balance and strength and is practiced to advance the body's physical health, clear the mind and prepare for meditation.

Hatha Yoga is also component of Ashtanga Yoga but can be practiced separately. Yoga a particularly beneficial kind of exercise for people with certain health conditions, including heart disease/hypertension, asthma, and back problems. Yoga can be a benefit to your health no matter what age you are, this is especially true of those who have heart problems. It has been recommended to help cure or prevent problems ranging from constipation to cancer, and is known to reduce stress and anxiety.

Yoga promotes cardiovascular health in several ways, including regulating high blood pressure and stress relief. For those who suffer with muscle pain or back problems, Yoga has been shown to be helpful with strengthening muscles, as well as improving flexibility and endurance.

The breathing and meditation techniques that are used in Hatha Yoga aid your body in its ability to relax, and this is thought to help manage chronic pain more efficiently. This may include back pain, joints or tense muscles.

In 2005, it was estimated that there were at least 16,5 million people who practiced Yoga in the United States alone. Hatha Yoga's popularity can be contributed to its benefits to both mind and body. If you have never tried Yoga before, this may be the prefect starting point to begin.

Though Hatha Yoga is safe and beneficial when practiced correctly, if you have health problems you should consult with your healthcare provider before beginning any exercise program.

Thomas T is the owner of Yoga-Instruction.NET. Free information about Yoga Instruction:

http://www.yoga-instruction.net/yoga-instruction.asp
Hatha Yoga: http://www.yoga-instruction.net/hatha-yoga.asp
Ashtanga Yoga: http://www.yoga-instruction.net/ashtanga-yoga.asp