What is Hatha Yoga

In this practice

Key teachings

• Hatha yoga as a distinct style, not just a generic term for gentle or physical yoga
• Hatha meaning 'Ha' (sun/active/energizing) and 'Tha' (moon/quiet/restorative)
• The core purpose of Hatha yoga is to balance active and restorative energies within the body

Ideal for

• Anyone curious about the true meaning of Hatha yoga
• Practitioners seeking a balanced approach to yoga that integrates active and restorative elements
• Individuals feeling over-stimulated or needing more quiet, introspective energy

Lesson

Instructions

‎ For show notes click on the link above

Have you ever wondered What exactly is hatha yoga? Today I am going to explain exactly what is meant by this style of yoga.

Hi I’m Melissa with Yoga with Melissa, I offer Real Yoga for Real People, yoga you can do so you feel better, move better and connect with your True Nature

Hatha yoga is often defined as a generic term to any type of yoga that teaches gentle physical postures that is not a flow based class. I take offense to a whole style of yoga being described solely in terms of what it is not! Additionally hatha yoga is also inaccurately described as an umbrella term to encompass any kind of physical yoga postures from Ashtanga to Iyengar yoga. Oh and I’ve also heard several sources describe it as gentle yoga.

Hatha yoga is a whole style in and of itself and actually has a specific meaning.

Hatha is a sanskrit word which breaks down to ha for sun and tha for moon. Just like the sun brings the energy to the day and the moon brings the quiet to the night, hatha yoga balances the energy in our body.

During the day we are active and at night we rest. Ha represents that active energies. Tha represents the quiet qualities. Together through hatha yoga, we strive to bring harmony to your body.

The Sun qualities of hatha yoga are stimulating, vibrant, energizing and strong but we can burn out if we are always efforting. In our day to day lives we tend to push forward, be addicted to busy and doing and be more comfortable with effort and energy. Generally, our culture needs to connect with our moon energy more, the quiet, receptive, nurturing, introspective, restorative energy.

In the hatha yoga classes that I teach, I focus on balancing the Ha or energizing qualities and the Tha or the restorative qualities, in your body.

This week, I am a guest on Maris Aylward’s Yoga Upload channel. On Thursday March 16, 2017, Maris will be releasing my Beginner Hatha Yoga class on her channel. You can come on over to Yoga Upload to check it out

Give this video a thumbs up if I cleared up any misconceptions on hatha yoga for you.

Thanks so much for watching and letting me clear that up. That has been bothering me for awhile now!

Let me know your yoga pet peeves in the comments below and I will see you next Wednesday!

Namaste, Melissa

Steps

• Balancing active (Ha) and quiet (Tha) energies
• Mindful physical postures (Asanas) to embody sun and moon qualities
• Breathing techniques (Pranayama) to regulate energy flow

Benefits

• Balances energy in the body, promoting harmony
• Helps to feel better and move better
• Connects practitioners with their true nature
• Cultivates restorative qualities often overlooked in busy modern life