...History of Hatha yoga: The history of hatha yoga goes back in the fifteenth century India when Yogi Swatmarama, a sage during those times, introduced it as a form of "a stairway to the heights" of Raja yoga which is the preparatory stage of physical purification that makes the body fit for the practice of higher form of meditation. Hatha yoga is also known to be called as "hatha vidya" and the word "hatha" is a combination of the words, "ha" which means sun "tha" that means moon and they are said to refer to the prinicipal "nadis" or the energy channels of the body and must be fully operational to attain the state of "dhyana" or a certain aspect of meditation.

Some people may link that the origins of hatha yoga which dates back in the tenth or eleventh century with Goraknath, a yogin during those times. However, the oldest surviving text about hatha yoga is the Hatha yoga Pradipika by yogin, Yogi Swatmarama. The text is said to be taken from old Sanskrit writings and personal yogin experiences of the yogin himself. The text relates about shatkarma, asana, pranayama, chakras, kundalini, bandhas, kriyas, shakti, nadis, and mudras among others.

Concept of Hatha yoga: The total concept of the traditional hatha yoga is a holistic yogic path comprising of moral disciplines, physical exercises, breath control, and meditation. The hatha yoga that is widely practiced and popular in the western countries mainly composed of the "asanas" or postures and other exercises.

Hatha yoga is only one of the two concepts of yoga that concentrates on the physical culture and the other yoga is the Raja yoga but both of these are referred to as Ashtanga yoga. The main difference is that the Raja yoga concentrates more on the "asanas" or postures to get the body ready for a prolonged meditation that concentrates mainly on the meditative "asana" poses. The hatha yoga on the other hand concentrates on balancing the mind and body through physical exercises, controlled breathing, and calming the mind through meditation and sheer relaxation.

Different positions or postures are recommended by practitioners to help lessen or avoid health problems ranging from constipation through cancer. It was said that it helps to reduce stress, pressure, and other mental worries that people today are frequently exposed to.

History of Karma Yoga

Karma yoga also known as Buddhi Yoga or the "discip...more

Pregnancy Yoga

..."Pregnancy yoga gave me so much more than I bargained for," says Brenda Entwisle, mother to two children. "I went because I wanted some gentle exercise, and left physically and emotionally in a much better place for the birth of my child. My personal growth and the deep bonds of friendship I forged were also really important."

Pregnancy yoga has been carefully shaped to support pregnant women on a physical, emotional and spiritual level. Physically, it is a powerful form of exercise that keeps you in touch with your changing body in a positive and empowering way. It encourages flexibility in your body and has specially designed exercises targeted at muscles that will assist you during birth and labor. For the pregnancy itself, it can transform your experience from a time where you may feel discomfort and unable to do what you used to do, to a place of strength and health. Practicing yoga may ea...more

The Benefits of Yoga for Children

...Various trends and fads have come and gone with fitness and exercise which makes it very easy to be cynical about any new developments in this field. However, because of the believed benefits of both mental and physical health yoga has been able to endure and become a favorite.

Having children practice yoga is becoming an increasingly popular trend. Like adults, children do not get enough exercise according to studies by experts and they can also exhibit tension and stress - therefore the perfect solution for overworked children is yoga.

Finding the Right Place

It is important to research the yoga class you are thinking of h...more

Anatomy Of Yoga - Getting A Solid Foundation

...ething like this:

- General knowledge of the principles of anatomy and physiology as applied to various styles of hatha yoga.

- How breathing expedites movement and posture in your practise, and about how the pelvis and abdomen form the foundation of the body - how these can be strengthened through exercise.

- Analysis of the basic standing postures, as these are vital for beginning students and because they provide a sound foundation for later back bending, forward bending, and twisting postures.

- Anatomy and safe practise of inverted exercises such as the headstand and shoulderstand.

- A basic knowledge of the body's ca...more

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