And while many factors can contribute to our stress levels, sometimes we feel like we’re just trying to survive day to day. What if there was a way to reduce our stress levels and feel more relaxed? Enter: hatha yoga.
What differentiates Hatha yoga from traditional yoga.
Yoga is a popular form of exercise that offers a wide range of benefits, from improving flexibility to reducing stress levels. However, not all types of yoga are the same. Hatha yoga is a type of yoga that emphasizes the physical aspects of the practice, while traditional yoga focuses more on the mental and spiritual aspects. Hatha yoga is a good choice for beginners who want to get familiar with the practice, as it is slower and less intense than other types of yoga. Traditional yoga, on the other hand, can be more challenging, as it often includes longer holds and deeper stretches.
Find balance and relieve stress in your professional life.
In today’s fast-paced world, it can be difficult to find a balance. Juggling work, family and social obligations can often leave us feeling stressed and overwhelmed. However, hatha yoga can help bring some peace and calm to our busy lives. This type of yoga focuses on physical postures and breathing exercises, which stretch and strengthen the body. In addition, hatha yoga can help improve our concentration and memory.
By learning to control our breathing and focus on our movements, we can also successfully quell the chatter of our thoughts. As a result, hatha yoga can help us find balance in our lives and feel less stressed. There are simple and more subtle breathing techniques that you can adapt and use in any situation. We suggest you try two simple and quick sequences:
Sports Mudra.
The Hakini mudra consolidates memory abilities, improves concentration, stimulates the brain, harmonizes the right and left cerebral hemispheres and provides a sense of calm.
To perform the Hakini Mudra, place the palms of your hands in front of the body, with each palm facing the other. Bring the fingertips of both hands together to make light contact. Focus your attention on the third eye chakra (located on the forehead, between the eyebrows; the center of intuition and clairvoyance). Position the tongue once morest the palate while inhaling. Relax the tongue on the exhale. Breathe in and out repeatedly for several minutes.
Anuloma Vuloma, also known as Alternate Nostril Breathing.
Alternate breathing involves inhaling through the right nostril and exhaling through the left, then inhaling through the left and exhaling through the right. This purifies the Ida Nadi (moon principle or mind) and the Pingala Nadi (sun principle or body) which brings balance to body and mind.
The purpose of alternate nostril breathing is to balance physical and mental energy. According to the traditional principle of Hatha Yoga, health problems arise when there is an imbalance between the Nadis Ida and Pingala. Alternate nostril breathing balances these two forces.
This exercise allows you to:
- Help balance the two hemispheres of the brain, the left and the right, the logical and emotional parts of our personality.
- Assist in the purification and balance of the Nadis (the underlying energy channels), thus allowing a harmonious circulation of prana (life force) throughout the body.
- Maintain a stable temperature in the body.
- Acquire an excellent breathing technique to calm and center the mind.
- Our mind tends to regret or glorify the past and worry regarding the future. Nadi Shodhan pranayama helps bring the mind back to the present moment.
- Act therapeutically on most circulatory and respiratory problems.
- Effectively release accumulated stress in the mind and body.
Who can practice Haltha yoga?
The good news is that anyone can practice hatha yoga, regardless of age, physical condition, or experience. The only real requirement is a willingness to learn and a comfortable place to practice. Some people prefer to attend a yoga class. While others prefer to practice at home using a video or a book as a guide. No matter where you choose to practice, hatha yoga can be a great way to improve your flexibility, strength, and overall well-being.