Hatha Yoga

Hatha Yoga ( Sanskrit, m. , हठ योग, Hatha Yoga, from hatha " strength, tenacity, oppression " ) is a form of yoga in which the balance between body and mind especially through physical exercises (asanas ), through breathing exercises ( pranayama) and meditation will be sought.

General

Hatha means of violence or force; This is to be emphasized that effort, which is necessary in order to achieve the ultimate goal. Next, the term is interpreted as an expression of the unity of opposing energies ( hot and cold, male and female, positive and negative, sun and moon).

The term Hatha Yoga has been used in the Hathapradipika, a yoga scripture from the 15th century. He separates the spiritual yoga (such as Raja Yoga) from the physical Yoga ( Hatha Yoga). Hatha yoga refers here to a stage on the way to Raja Yoga.

In addition to the Hathapradipika there are two other important basic works of Hatha Yoga, the Gherandasamhita and Shivasamhita. In them it is clear that even within the Hatha Yoga disagreements on both theoretical and practical concerns exist.

Hatha Yoga was initially designed to support other forms of yoga, but enjoyed great popularity quickly and was soon regarded as a distinct form of yoga. In western culture is meant by yoga often mainly Hatha Yoga.

Cleaning exercises

There are six main cleaning exercises that Shatkriyas that are an integral part of Hatha Yoga. You should cleanse the body and its various cavities (pharynx, stomach, etc.) systematically and free of mucus. These practices, together with the asanas an important prerequisite to practice pranayama and mudras.

Hatha Yoga and Health

There is now a large body of scientific studies on the positive effects of hatha yoga on health complaints. Can be alleviated, for example, insomnia, back pain, high blood pressure (hypertension ), chronic headaches, heart failure and asthma.

Modifications

In addition to the classic Hatha yoga while standing, sitting and lying example, there are also variants which can be executed on the chair and is particularly suitable for people who are limited in their freedom of movement and still want to do something for their health and well-being or but carry on an activity in a sitting position. Special yoga exercises on the chair provide increased mobility and improved circulation, which supplies the brain with oxygen and increases the entire metabolism is stimulated.