| Hatha Yoga - An Ancient Program of Balance, | | | | continual renewal of strength and balance. Most people |
| Harmony and Purification | | | | who practice Hatha Yoga find that it's necessary to |
| Hatha Yoga originated in the 15th century in India as | | | | also take inventory of their dietary and lifestyle |
| part of a program of purification of the body | | | | predilections. This is a very natural emanation of |
| incorporated along with meditation. Hatha is the Hindu | | | | alterations to a less healthy lifestyle. |
| word for "sun and , while "Yoga" is the word for | | | | Benefits of Hatha Yoga |
| "yoke" or uniting of body, mind and environment. Hatha | | | | The benefits of Hatha Yoga are a sense of |
| Yoga places great significance on achieving balance | | | | wholeness and overall good health. Through the |
| between physical, mental, spiritual and emotional states | | | | balance of mind and body effected by Hatha Yoga, a |
| in harmony with earth, water, sun and moon. | | | | new harmony evolves from within and allows the |
| Basic Tenets of Hatha Yoga Program | | | | individual to experience less stress and tension as a |
| The basic tenets of the Hatha Yoga Program is | | | | result. Yet, the adaptability to Hatha Yoga lifestyle is |
| comprised of several aspects: | | | | relatively easy because of the simplicity of its core |
| Asana which focuses on posture similar to the | | | | fundamentals. |
| postures of T'ai Chi and Chi Gong | | | | Meditation and Hatha Yoga |
| Prayanamas where subtle energy control is the focus, | | | | Meditation is an element of nearly all religions, holistic |
| a very important aspect of Hatha Yoga | | | | programs and cultural lifestyles. Meditation is also one |
| Chakras which are the centers of energy | | | | of the oldest forms of self-recognition. Discovering the |
| Kundalini which encompasses muscle force | | | | wealth of knowledge, ideas and inspirations within the |
| Kryas which promotes the mastering of kundalini | | | | unconscious mind is often obliterated by details stored |
| techniques | | | | in the conscious mind. This creates a conflict in the |
| Shakti, the sacred force | | | | body when conscious messages block out |
| Nadis which are channels | | | | unconscious messages intended as metaphysical |
| Mudras, which are symbolic gestures similar to those in | | | | protection from conscious deliberate negative actions. |
| T'ai Chi. | | | | Quieting the mind sufficiently in meditation also requires |
| Shatkarma, purification, begins with freeing up the mind | | | | the body to be receptively postured for best results. |
| by freeing up the body through holistic lifestyle, yoga | | | | This is the basis of Hatha Yoga. |
| practice daily and metaphysical re-adaptation. | | | | Lessons of Hatha Yoga for All Ages |
| Self-Improvement Through Hatha Yoga | | | | Teaching children from young ages to adapt to the |
| Within asanas, also known as "sun signs", movements | | | | holistic program of Hatha Yoga creates a permanent |
| are performed and practiced that rely on focused | | | | direction for mental stability and good physical health. It |
| mental concentration in order to achieve maximum | | | | is also the very best time for the practice of Hatha |
| benefits. Practitioners of Hatha Yoga find a new | | | | Yoga to begin. Those who choose Hatha Yoga in their |
| sense of physical balance and strength as a result of | | | | senior years may find several of the asanas, i.e., the |
| consistent use of asanas. Thus, Hatha Yoga retards | | | | candle, the Lotus Position, physically challenging. For this |
| the aging process by infusing mind and body with | | | | age group, modified asanas are taught. |