| Hatha Yoga is the yoga that most people know as | | | | concept upon which its name is based, Hatha Yoga |
| simply, "yoga." Practiced for emotional and physical | | | | take energies that are in opposition - dark and light, yin |
| health and wellness, Hatha Yoga focuses on both the | | | | and yang, fire and ice - and uses them to find a |
| purification of the mind and the body, aiming to pave a | | | | balance between the mind, body, spirit, and external |
| path to vitality and wholeness. | | | | forces of life. |
| Hatha Yoga was introduced by a man named Yogi | | | | A variety of breathing techniques, meditations, and |
| Swatmarama, a yoga sage in 15th and 16th century | | | | poses all help to drive the person doing Hatha Yoga to |
| India. Known for calmness and peacefulness, Yogi | | | | a path of enlightenment. Among some of the most |
| Swatmarama is a name that has now become | | | | practiced poses are Bhujangasana, also known as the |
| synonymous with delight, one who paved the way for | | | | Cobra; the Eka Pada, also known as the one-legged |
| an exercise that enhances the mind, body and spirit. | | | | king; the Halasana, also known as the Plow; the |
| He began with Hatha Yoga by writing the Hatha Yoga | | | | Padmasana, also known as the Lotus; and the |
| Pradipika, a Sanskrit that was based on | | | | Simhasana, also known as the Lion. |
| Swatmarama's own experiences as well as the | | | | Hatha Yoga, like the word "yoga" itself, greatly uses |
| words of older Sanskrit texts. It details information | | | | the concept of unity, the unity between man and |
| about asanas, bandhas, kriyas, shakti, pranayama, and | | | | nature as well as the unity within each person: without |
| several other areas. | | | | unity between the mind and the body, it's hard to |
| The book, as well as Hatha Yoga itself, is rich with | | | | accomplish anything. Depending on the individual, Hatha |
| hints of Hinduism. Perhaps the oldest religion in the | | | | Yoga may be used to unite people with different |
| world, Hinduism is a religion based on acceptance, | | | | things. For some, Hatha Yoga may be used to form a |
| building its foundation on a plethora of text and | | | | union with God, the Self, ones True Nature, or the |
| scriptures. It aims to teach people mystical truths, while | | | | Divine. For others, Hatha Yoga may be used to unite |
| providing guidance on how a person can grow to | | | | them with a much needed recovery from a stress in |
| become morally, spiritually, and physically whole. | | | | their life. Still for others, Hatha Yoga may be used |
| Hinduism also believes the "Heaven on Earth" concept, | | | | simply as a way to unite them with themselves. |
| noting it's possible to achieve salvation while alive | | | | Hatha Yoga, having been around for hundreds of |
| rather than only in death. | | | | years, is rooted in principles that will never change, |
| Part of this salvation is achieved through balance. | | | | however as times are always changing these ancient |
| Because the word "Hatha" is derived from Sanskrit | | | | principles can be evolved and applied to the 21st |
| words meaning sun ("Ha") and moon ("Tha") it only | | | | Century. Overall the roots of yoga teach people to |
| makes sense that Hatha Yoga places a lot of concept | | | | obtain what everyone seeks: physical and emotional |
| on the focus of balance. A type of yoga that teeters | | | | health, a clear mental state-of-mind, and a life driven |
| between two streams (the Ida (mental) and the | | | | not by worries, but simply by joy. |
| Pingala (body) currents), Hatha Yoga uses the | | | | TWISTED is a medical yoga studio at the Center for |
| Shushumna Nadi (the current of the self) to open up | | | | Osteopathic Medicine in Boulder, Colorado. Twisted |
| various Chakras (cosmic points within the body that | | | | integrates osteopathic medicine, hatha yoga and |
| are awaiting release). Once this happens, a state of | | | | mindfulness practices to teach optimal balance |
| quieted thought and a still mind occurs while | | | | between physical, mental, and emotional health. It aims |
| consciousness remains. This is called Samadhi and it is | | | | toeducate and help people to live a healthy life from |
| known as a stated of bliss. | | | | the inside out. Rehabilitation programs offer a |
| Hatha Yoga is based on holistic principles, moral | | | | comprehensive treatment regime for the whole being, |
| disciplines and physical exercise. It focuses greatly on | | | | empowering each person one breath at a time to |
| poses (Asanas), breathing techniques (Pranayama) | | | | stimulate the body's natural healing potential. |
| and meditation. Similar to the sun versus moon | | | | |