Nurture Yourself with Hatha Yoga

Nurture yourself with Hatha Yoga

Back in the day ‘hatha’ was all movement based yoga, so any form of asanas was called hatha. The word “hatha” actually means ‘wilful' or ‘forceful’, it refers to a set of postures that are designed to align the skin, the muscles and the bones. They are designed to open the many channels of the body, specifically the spine, so that energy can flow more freely.These days it is known to be focused on gentle asanas without any real flow between postures. Hatha is also said to bring a balance between opposing forces of the yin, female energy (moon) and masculine energy, yang (sun) within the body, mind and soul. In our physical bodies we develop a balance of strength and flexibility and we learn to be present in the moment - something that is very much needed in our current lifestyles.

A hatha yoga class at Deva will typically involve a set of asanas or physical postures and breathing techniques, practised more slowly and with more static posture holds. It is the perfect mix of breathing practise, allowing the mind to quieten, with physical work to aid strength and flexibility. You will breathe deeply while holding postures and the classes will challenge and relax you, leaving you feeling energised yet calm.  It is a great class for beginners who want to learn what yoga is all about and take it slowly. But it is also good for more experienced yogis who want to nurture themselves, be kind to their bodies and enjoy stillness of mind. The benefits are still huge, you gain flexibility and strength, you reduce stress, lower blood pressure and get better sleep.

And hatha yoga for me is about the subtleties of the body- realigning and refocusing. Bringing myself back to the basics, forgetting about the fancy stuff and remembering how to breathe properly again, how to get good alignment, learning what my body needs and what feels good or doesn't and working out why. 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.