Hatha Yoga Simply refers to all the physical yoga postures, meaning that
your Ashtanga and
Vinyasa are considered to be forms of Hatha
yoga as well. The word "hatha" can be translated into two ways: as
“willful” or “forceful,” or the yoga of activity, and as “sun” (ha) and
“moon” (tha), the yoga of balance. Hatha practices are designed to align
and calm your body, mind, and spirit in preparation for meditation. Hatha
yoga breathing techniques can be traced back to the 1st Century in both
Buddhist and Hindu texts, but it was another 1,000 years before the use of
yoga postures, or asanas, and breath control was recorded as a way to
enhance vital energy.Classical Hatha yoga was developed in the 15th
century and included guidance for the proper setting of yoga, asanas,
pranayama or breathing exercises, mudras or hand gestures, and meditation
for personal spiritual growth.
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