Understanding Hatha Yoga

In Sanskrit, "yoga" means "the union of self with the truth; joining mind, body and spirit to ultimately sharpen the intuition." In other words, through yoga, you the practitioner, can become master of your emotions, thoughts and actions.

Hatha yoga is a practice which follows eight principles. The eight principles or "Astanga" (which means "eight limbs/subdivisions" in Sanskrit), are a progressive series of steps and disciplines which purify the body and mind, and ultimately lead to deeper introspection, concentration and meditation. Our Guru (teacher) condensed the essence of the eight principles of Hatha Yoga into five components: proper breathing; proper exercises; relaxation; meditation; and proper diet. Practiced in its entirety, Hatha yoga gives students the capability of attaining a harmonious balance in life.

Astanga teaches that the body is the vehicle for life's journey, and is thus very important. It also teaches that emotions and thoughts can be brought under control only when the body is mastered. To this end, we focus on the physical being and emphasize:

• Pranayama, the science of breathing properly. Students are taught breathing techniques to learn how to utilize their breath to relax or energize themselves.
  
• Asanas, exercises done through steady poses. Students are taught how to get into and hold poses to attain the maximum benefits. While learning asanas, the student simultaneously learns how to build stamina and strength while relaxing and concentrating. There are asanas for every physical and mental imbalance the body may be experiencing.
  
• Savasana, or relaxation. In between asanas, students are taught to relax to counter any muscle fatigue or lactic acid buildup. Hatha yoga opposes strenuous movement and loss of breath; thus steady poses and "active" relaxation are practiced. Active relaxation means the practitioner is conscious of resting.
  
• Dhayana, or meditation. Meditation is the foundation of yoga. Students meditate to quiet their mental activity and clear their thoughts, and to bring the mind under control. When practiced daily, meditation increases intuitive powers.
  
• Diet. For best results, yoga encourages students to adhere to a vegetarian diet. However, this is a personal choice that we'll be happy to discuss on an individual basis.