Hatha Yoga is a powerful tool for self-transformation. It asks us to bring our attention to our breath, which helps us to still the fluctuations of the mind and be more present in the unfolding of each moment.Cyndi Lee
the intention
To define Hatha Yoga.
What is Hatha Yoga?
The balance of body, breath, mind and spirit is not an easy one. From day to day, minute to minute, we may find ourselves emotionally swinging back and forth. But it’s with a calm and relaxed state of body and mind that we’re able to accept and adapt to life’s changes and challenges. This is an essential component to living a more joyous and balanced life.
Hatha Yoga is fundamentally all about balance.
The definition of yoga, is union, yoking or joining together. Ha means sun and tha means moon – or opposites, and all the attibutes that go with these opposites: hot and cold, dark and light, physical and mental, male and female. Hatha Yoga is the union of opposites in order to reach balance – mentally, physically, spiritually.
Hatha Yoga is referred to as the physical practice of doing the postures with the proper breathing that leads to harmony of body, breath, mind and spirit.
Its said that the postures were originally developed as a prerequisite to concentrations (dharana) and meditation (dhyana). To the ancient yogis, the body was seen as a vehicle to the soul and meditation was the key to getting there. However, to sit in mediation for long periods of time, the body must be free of tension an flexible enough to sit without discomfort. Te mind must be quiet and able to concentrate.
The body is the vehicle to the soul, so treat it with respect. Fell your boundaries Sense your limitations. But on all levels of consciousness, expect and allow yourself to expand.
so let’s feel it
- (Seated or in shavasana) Bring all your awareness to your breathing, establishing the diaphragmatid breath.
- Feel your abdomen rise and fall with each breath.
- Observe the natural flow of breath in and out of your body.
- Let the breath be the link between the mind and the body.
Remember to balance the ha and tha by practicing easy with challenging, relaxing with invigorating, stretching with strengthening.
To find the pleasure in yoga as well as in life, focus on what you’re doing, one thing at a time.
- A posture isn’t a posture unless you’re breathing through it and thus connecting with it.
- You can’t measure the quality of your yoga practice on the depth of your forward bend or the flexibility of your hamstrings. It’s not about how your postures look, but how they feel.
- While we practice, keep in mind that combining the breath and the movement helps free the mind for a deeper awareness of the moment.
- Keep your lines of energy long. Then lengthen those lines by filling your being with light, air and intention.
- In every aspect of your life, it is important to find the balance between hurting and helping, pushing and pulling, and doing and non-doing.
- When a posture becomes effortless, it becomes an opportunity to practice meditation.
about the lesson learned series
Our blog series entitled Lesson Learned is designed from a teachers perspective. We see so much, feel so much and have learned so much. This is our sharing ground from the front of the room.
If you would like to read more from this series, please click here: http://yogasamatva.com/?s=lesson+learned
The light and love in me bows to the light and love in you.
Om. Shanti. Shanti. Shanti.
share to a friend or share to social media
share to a friend or share to social media
PEACE, LOVE + GROOVINESS
