Photo by lululemon athletica
In North America, Hatha is the most commonly-practiced form of yoga.
In this form of yoga, there is a strong emphasis on balancing the body and mind by practicing physical poses, meditation and breathing techniques. (Not too surprising as the word “yoga” means to unite, the mind, body, and spirit!)
Hatha brings together pairs of opposites, ha means “sun” and tha means “moon.” This kind of yoga can be very relaxing but is also known as “forcefull yoga,” because it requires a lot of effort.
If you find yourself taking an Iyengar or Ashtanga class, these are forms of Hatha.
Some familiar Hatha yoga postures include:
- Downward Dog
- Triangle Pose
- Tree Pose
- Sun Salutations
A beginner level Hatha class could be the best place to start if you’ve never done yoga before. The teacher will take you through a variety of poses (postures or asanas), teach you to focus on your breath while moving through those asanas, and depending on the studio, there will likely be meditation at the beginning and end of class.
Many yoga instructors like to guide the class through a seated meditation, and help the students set an intention for the practice. Often instructors will open and close a Hatha yoga class by chanting “Aum.”
Studio Bliss offers both Hatha and Hatha Flow classes every day. Check the schedule for a time that suits you.
While the regular Hatha class emphasizes stillness, presence and breath, the Hatha Flow classes are rhythmic and flowing. Both give your body and mind an excellent workout. The flow class is particularly great for getting blood and circulation flowing.
