Tara Yoga

Yoga For Beginners Guide

The words Hatha yoga literally means the sun and moon, so practicing Hatha yoga means bringing together two forces of opposites. Hatha yoga is sometimes also described as forceful yoga; this is because Hatha yoga poses are the most strenuous of all yoga poses and it is also one of the most well known forms of yoga in the western world.

Hatha yoga is one of four types of Tantra yoga; it consists of concentrating on the poses and control of the breath. The main objective in practicing Hatha yoga is to remove obstacles in your path and have a clear, fresh, sharp mind which is fully focused on your inner being.

The poses or Asana in Hatha yoga

The poses in Hatha yoga have two essential objectives, the first being to practice any form of meditation a person has to be perfectly comfortable and at ease for long periods of time and have correct posture. The more postures a person can learn the better basis they will have for developing meditation techniques.

The second objective of the postures in Hatha yoga is to bring energy and health to the body, when Hatha yoga is performed regularly it is said that the path of Hatha yoga is opened automatically to be followed further, while mastering the Hatha yoga postures themselves has no objective other than to strengthen the will power and concentration.

Breathing postures in Hatha yoga

In performing Hatha yoga it is essential that you are able to master the breathing patterns or Pranayama, yoga masters believe that if you can master the breath then mastering the mind is within reach. It is through breathing exercises that the flow or prana or vital life throughout the body is regulated.

This energy is needed the deeper you get into practicing yoga with the ultimate goal being to reach the state of Samadhi, which is a feeling of total peace within yourself. The special breathing techniques in Hatha yoga consists of the flow of the breath being alternated through both nostrils, this is thought to balance the two hemispheres of the brain, which is the main objective of Pranayama.

The breathing exercises in Hatha yoga is said to activate the Kundalini energy which is dormant “spiritual energy” within the body. Hatha yoga is an excellent way to begin practicing yoga for it is an excellent way to clear the mind and bring focus back to your life; it is a form that is particularly helpful for those suffering from stress and anxiety.