Hatha Yoga

Hatha yoga is the most common type of yoga practiced among people in the west. The word Hatha refers to the aspect of yoga based on physical movements alone. These are the standard stretches, or 'postures' that are done in order to build strength, peace of mind, balance, and endurance. This is considered the lowest form of yoga, but essential nonetheless (Raja yoga is the highest form; a meditative yoga which develops the mind and spirit).

The ancients believed the body to be split into two polar opposites: 'Ha' energy which includes, lunar, intuitive, receptive, and cooling properties on the left side, and 'Tha' energy on the right which includes intellectual, warm, expanding, and solar properties (much like the Asian concept of yin and yang).

The main component of Hatha yoga are the 'asanas', or postures. These asanas have been developed over thousands of years through trial and error. Their names come from animal characteristics or everyday items such as the plow, the peacock, or the lion. For instance, a snake pose makes the spine flexible, and a frog pose helps the body to conserve energy.

The ultimate goal of these asanas, and Hatha yoga in general, is to prepare the body for the more rigorous practices of higher yoga. While most in the west consider Hatha yoga to be demanding enough, more traditional yogis do not even bother with Hatha yoga because it is too basic. But we all have to start somewhere, right?