Hatha Yoga
When the word Yoga is mentioned, most people immediately think of some physical postures for relaxing and limbering up the body. This is only one small aspect of it. The physical Yoga or Hatha Yoga was primarily designed to facilitate the real practice of Yoga - namely, the understanding and complete mastery over the mind.
The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali quotes it very clearly: "Yogas Citta Vrtti Nirodhah" - The restraint of the modification of the mind-stuff is yoga.
Once the restraint of the mental modifications is achieved one has reached the goal of Yoga. The entire science of Yoga is based on this.
The Integral Yoga®
system of
Hatha Yoga is pre-dominantly concerned with the
physical development, through asanans (posture), pranayama (breath
control), mudras (energy locks), kriyas (cleansing techniques),
yogic diet and deep relaxation.
This creates a strong, supple and relaxed body, increases vitality,
radiant health and helping in curing illnesses and addictions.
Hatha Yoga is not only a wonderful tool to reduce stress above all
it is designed to help the body, emotions and mind to return to
their natural state of good health and balance.
An Integral Yoga® Hatha class offers a beautifully integrated experience, including many of the traditional yoga practices. Classes are really moving meditations, where form in each asana is important, but the primary focus is on being present and being open to experiencing the joy and vitality ever present within ourselves.
All form of Yoga practice that involves asanas (postures), pranayama (breath control), mudras (energy locks), kriyas (cleansing techniques)yogic diet and deep relaxationis is called Hatha Yoga.
There are different traditions like Iyengar-, Astanga-, Integral-, Sivananda-, Kundalini- or Bikram Yoga just to name a few. The tradition is based on the teachers background.
