Hatha Yoga Poses - An Introduction

The word hatha in Sanskrit is a combination of "ha"be cautious enough to avoid force or strain during the
which means the sun and "tha" which means thestretching positions. Most of the hatha yoga poses can
moon. This combination of words was used and isbe practised by beginners, however one should skip
used to describe this form of yoga as doing hathathe poses which one is not comfortable with and
yoga poses aim at bringing together the oppositeshould wait till the body is ready to take the physical
currents in the system.challenges posed by the more complex yoga asanas
Yoga poses have been practised as some say for(poses).
5000 years. Today, then have been very popularYoga positions are mainly aimed at relaxing the body
among yoga lovers as they have proved to be veryand enlightening the spirit within which acts to increase
effective for improvements in balancing the body, mindthe harmony between the spirit, mind and body which
and spirit. Hatha poses incorporate and includein turn enables the spiritual energy to flow freely
breathing techniques which helps to improve mentalthrough the channels of energy. Yoga helps greatly in
concentration.the maintenance of a healthy body which helps in
Regular practice of hatha yoga and the posesbuilding a positive attitude towards life.
associated with it can improve the flexibility of theThe experience of hatha yoga poses is so relaxing
body allowing it to stretch easily; it also regularizes thethat many people who practice these asanas regularly
respiration process and improves the practitioner'scompare it with floating. Yoga also has benefits for
posture. Yoga poses strengthen and balance onepeople and children who face problems in
through stretching, giving the body a calming andconcentrating, as the positive attitude developed
relaxing effect. Hatha yoga poses are bound tothrough these hatha yoga poses keeps the mind
improve the physical, mental and spiritual aspect ofhealthy and aids in good concentration. Hanging poses
one's health. The larger goal of yoga is to blend thelike rag doll can work quickly in increasing
spirit of the universe with the spirit of the mind andconcentration.
hence help in achieving eternal bliss.Hatha yoga and the poses associated with it have
While practising yoga postures one should breathebeen tried and tested for a long time which clearly
normally at first and over time the breath will becomeindicates it has benefited one person after another.
deeper. Breathing deeply and effortlessly during theThere is no doubt that practicing hath yoga poses
body exercise part of yoga allows the diaphragm toregularly will help attain new and higher levels of
open and expand easily. While practicing, one shouldphysical and mental well being.