Hatha yoga is a slow and meditative style of yoga with many health benefits. Learn more about hatha yoga with this video..
Transcript:What Is Hatha Yoga
Namaste, my name is Swami Ramananda. I am the President of the Integral Yoga Institute here on 13th street in New York City. We’re in the Lotus Room, a classroom where some students are practicing Hatha Yoga and I’m going to explain a little bit about the history of Yoga, its many benefits and what to expect in a class.
What is Hatha Yoga?
Hatha Yoga is more slow and meditative. The kind of Hatha Yoga we are practicing here is a comprehensive system for personal transformation that involves every aspect of the individual: the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual.
The History of Hatha Yoga
Practices of Yoga originated thousands of years ago in India and these practices included many aspects: ritual and devotion, prayer, the chanting and repetition of mantras, the evolution of asana or physical postures all of which where meant to purify the body, the mind and heart to allow the inner light to shine forth.
What to Expect from a Class
Each class includes physical postures, or asana, deep relaxation, breathing practices and mediation. All of which can be practiced by students of any age.
The Benefits of Yoga
Regular practice of Hatha Yoga leads to many benefits. Healing and rejuvenating all the various systems of the body including the immune system, the circulatory system, even the nervous system and respiratory systems. It can help someone more ease-fully manage stress that they encounter in life, develop their ability to concentrate and their will power and even to be more aware in the present moment as they make choices in life. All these practices gradually lead to a mental and physical stillness that allows the practitioner to feel a peaceful nature within them that is always content and balanced.
