Hatha Yoga

Hatha-Yoga  is a Sanskrit term. This type of yoga, through the precise and rhythmic practice of postures, allows the practitioner to master the body and the senses. It finds its origin in ancient texts, the yoga sutras of Patanjali.

Hatha-Yoga is also inspired by three other traditional Sanskrit texts:

• Hatha-Yoga - Pradipika, (from the 15th century Indian sage named Svatmarama),
• Gheranda Samhita,
• Shiva Samhita.

Hatha yoga works on postures

Hatha-Yoga is a series of very simple or more complicated postures (asanas in Sanskrit).

Hatha-Yoga being a discipline that is for everyone, there are different levels depending on whether you are a beginner or more experienced in the discipline.

Unlike a gymnastic sequence, the postures must be maintained long enough: about 3 minutes per posture.

We associate breath control (pranayama) and concentration.

The benefits of Hatha-Yoga: better shape

As with other forms of yoga, Hatha-Yoga allows an improvement in the overall form of the practitioner, as the practice progresses. We recognize many benefits:

On the physical level:

• More flexibility,
• A strengthened skeleton and joints and the disappearance of back problems;
• On the mental level:
• More concentration,
• Improved memorization,
• A clearer mind;
• On an emotional level:
• Better stress management,
• Less anxiety,
• Better quality of sleep.

All this can only be seen if one is assiduous in its practice. Hatha-Yoga, like all other forms of yoga, requires patience and perseverance and above all very regular practice!

_Sadix_

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Yoga: the use of conscious breathing

 

Yoga: the use of conscious breathing

Breathing is essential in the practice of yoga.

We breathe mechanically and unconsciously, absorbing the oxygen that is vital to us and releasing CO 2 . There are several ways to breathe:

• Abdominal breathing: mainly in the stomach;
• Costal breathing: is more at the level of the thorax;
• Clavicular or upper respiration.

Yoga and other forms of wellness therapy use mindful breathing which has multiple beneficial effects on body and mind.

Few clicks from breathing exercises

Consequences of poor breathing

When emotions overwhelm us or when we are stressed or anxious, we adopt bad breath, we are "short of breath". Poor breathing can have an impact on our general condition, causing:

• Nervous and physical fatigue,
• Poor resistance to stress,
• Digestive problems,
• Palpitations,
• Lack of concentration, etc.

Pranayama: the practice of breathing in yoga

Yoga considers breathing to be one of its basic principles.

Yoga exercises always combine breathing with practice. Each exercise is punctuated by breathing, which is done through the nose and not through the mouth.

We always start with an exhalation in order to completely free the lungs of excess air. Breathing allows vital energy to circulate and is therefore very important in terms of energy balance.

Pranayama is a Sanskrit term:

"Prana" means energy,

"Ayama" relates to vitality.

Yoga: the benefits of good breathing

Relaxation is often practiced with conscious breathing, at the level of the belly: it is enough to lie down and breathe deeply by placing your hands on the belly and concentrating on the inhale and the exhale.

It is important to breathe "deeply" and not superficially.

Proper breathing is essential for physical and mental health:

The benefits of yoga and breathing

On the physical level

• Eliminates toxins from the body
• Improves blood circulation 
• Slows down the heart rate
• Lowers blood pressure
• Regenerates the body
• Relaxes the body
• Promotes healing

On the mental level

• Makes the mind calmer and clearer,
• Allows you to have better self-confidence,
• Makes it easier to solve problems,
• Allows you to acquire more concentration and memory.

On an emotional level

• Allows you to free yourself from nervous tension, etc.

Different types of breathing in yoga

There are several types of breaths that will often be taught during yoga classes. Among these breaths:

• Full breathing: combines abdominal, rib and clavicular breathing and emphasizes the respiratory movement in the head.
• Solar respiration,
• Kapalabathi breathing or "cleaning" breathing,
• Alternate breathing, etc.

Yoga and breathing: a necessary learning

There is no point in doing yoga exercises with poor or insufficient breathing.

Before starting to practice alone, it is essential to have had a good teacher. This will correct our imperfections, both in terms of exercise and the way we use our breathing.

For a person who breathes badly, the fact of practicing yoga will allow him to learn to be aware of his way of breathing.

_Sadix_

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The place of meditation in yoga practice

 The place of meditation in yoga practice

In yoga, meditation holds an essential place and belongs to the basic principles, directly drawn from the Yoga Sutra of Patanjali.

Meditation :

• Helps to pacify emotions and purify the mind.

• Increases the ability to concentrate and therefore brings more alertness and better memory.

There are several ways to meditate, some postures are more suitable than others and some practices are specially studied for meditation:

• Combination of postures and breaths (example: hatha-yoga ),

• Use of precise sounds repeated aloud (example: mantra yoga or Japa yoga),

• Visualization of images or colors (example: visualization of the chakras and the corresponding colors as in kundalini yoga ).

_Sadix_

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"You experience what you think"

 

"You experience what you think"

Thought is the ancestor of action.

If you want to improve your actions, you will need to purify your thoughts.

Have confidence in yourself and your effort.

You can determine your destiny by the force of your thoughts.

Just as clouds are the primary source of rain, controlling your thoughts will be the source of your lasting prosperity.

You yourselves are your own friend or your enemy. 

The nature of the things around you is as you think it is. Your life is made by your thoughts.

Thoughts are the building blocks of your personality. 

The world around you is a reflection of your thoughts.

You experience what you think.

You have become fearful of having kept thoughts of fear within you.

You are affected only by the things which relate to the idea which you have of it.

The mind values ​​only that in which it has strong faith.

Although we all see the same object, each of us attaches a different value to it.

You think according to your inclinations.

No one is born perfect, but there is room for improvement for everyone.

Trials and difficulties should make each of us a better being rather than creating complexes within us and strangling our minds and hearts.

Find refuge in noble and righteous thoughts and you will attain perfection.

_Sadix_

REFERENCES:

Swami Sivananda, The Power of Thought

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Rosemary herbal tea

 

 Rosemary : relieves both digestive and respiratory disorders of the Vata and Kapha types. “Rosemary has many qualities: it is antiseptic, antirheumatic, carminative and stomachic. It's a good heart tonic. Rosemary herbal teas are used for their fortifying properties and to treat gastric and hepatic problems. 

_Sadix_

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"When breath control is correct min control is possible."

    -Pattabhi Jois-

 

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 Today do not force anything.

 Don't rush things.

 Turn into the natural rhythm of life.

 Everything will be alright.

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Being in Yoga means living consciously every moment of your daily life. Learning to feel, perceive and value who you are on all levels is the ultimate goal of yoga.

 

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 IF YOU STRIVE FOR PERFECTION YOU WILL BE DISAPPOINTED, BUT IF YOU SEE YOURSELF AS AN EVOLVING "WORK OF ART" YOU WILL BE AT PEACE.

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 I enjoyed the deep and energizing meditations of which 

the beauty of the place was an integral part.

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