Hatha Yoga: An Introduction

Hatha yoga is most popular form of this ancient practice. The Word yoga means union. There are several disciplines in this practice, and Hatha yoga means union between mind and body. Recently many types of instructional materials are being offered with the word "yoga" in the title. Some of these have little resemblance to the ancient methods. Traditional yoga involves a meditative, peaceful and focused mental state. It is typically practiced in a slow and deliberate fashion. Any methodology that is fast-paced, multi-sensory and focused more on instruction than awareness tends not to fit with the goals of traditional yoga.

Hatha yoga involves the effort to achieve a particular position or “pose”. One then maintains that pose and uses the act of breathing to "relax" into the posture. These poses are known as Asanas.

By relaxing while maintaining these poses, one focuses deeper on bodily sensations, and their bodily reaction to a focus of relaxation. Traditionally, these poses are maintained in some cases, for minutes at a time.

The poses or Asanas are practiced in a definite order to create a cumulative effect. This physical effect is not the only byproduct. An increased focus or meditative state is also a result of these practices.

As life becomes more complicated we have an increasing challenge to slow ourselves up. The faster we move, the harder it is to focus. It seems each generation has a shorter attention span. While this is a healthy and necessary development, the importance of being able to maintain a particular train of thought or more importantly to control our own thinking will always remain extremely important.

A sage wise men once said, "The mind is a wonderful servants but a lousy Master". And after all this is a very necessary skill, to be able to influence our own thinking. The practice of focus and relaxation applied to our physical awareness is what makes yoga and incredibly valuable practice for many people.

In our family, we believe we need constant reminders to slow down. We have a small piece of kids furniture, a little plastic table and seats. It's a timeout area, but with a positive focus. Whenever anyone is sitting at this table, they are not to be bothered by anyone else in the house. Just by making this practice happen in the same place over a period of time, just by sitting down there it takes a load off.

So if you've wondered if yoga is for you, we think you should definitely give it a try. One final important thing to remember is that you can only appreciate the benefits of this practice if you will sustain the effort over a period of time.