Heard about the Hatha yoga style?
The branch of yoga that involves physical practices to calm the body, mind, and soul in preparation for higher spiritual work. ‘Ha’ means sun and ‘Tha’ means moon, Hatha yoga aims at unison of the solar and lunar energies within you for enhanced mental peace. With the regular practice of hatha yoga asanas, practitioners can gain sound body and mind that helps one to attain inner happiness. Also, Hatha yoga is the elemental step towards balancing of the masculine and feminine in a person that intensifies your consciousness. The hatha yoga regimen involves proper intake of a nutritious diet, pranayama well apart from the routine practice of yoga postures to enhance your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being.
Practice these six Hatha Yoga Beginner Poses to embark on a healthier journey of the self:
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Mountain Pose (Tadasana)
Stand tall on a yoga mat with feet close to each other and arms by your side. Evenly distribute the weight across the balls of the feet. Tuck your tailbone in. Inhale; Raise your arms overhead and fold them in prayer position. Keep your breathing relaxed and smooth. Look at a point in front of you. Hold this pose for 60 seconds.
Benefits: A perfectly performed mountain pose that uses all the muscles of the body. It helps in improving the posture and reduces back pain. The pose also strengthens the thighs, ankles, abdominal muscles, and hips.
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Tree Pose (Vrikshasana)
Begin in mountain pose with feet hip-distance apart. Ground your feet firmly on the floor and lift your left leg high. Place the left foot on the edge of the right inner thigh. Align your right and left posterior. Stay here, take few deep breaths and try to balance the body. Now, fold your palms in Namaste position in front of your heart and gaze softly in forwarding direction. Hold this pose for 30-60 seconds.
Benefits: Tree Pose stretches the thighs, shoulders, and groins. It tones the abdominal muscles and is found therapeutic for sciatica.
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Standing Forward Bend Pose (Uttanasana)
Stand on a yoga mat with an erect spine and hands on the hip. Take a deep inhalation, stretch your arms up toward the ceiling. Upon exhalation; bend down at the hips and bring your arms to the floor next to each foot or rest your hands on the back of the ankles. Rest your chest, nose, and forehead on the thigh. Hold this pose for 15-20 seconds.
Benefits: This hatha yoga posture stretches the hamstrings and calves. Strengthens the thighs and knees. Reduces headache, anxiety and is therapeutic for asthma, sinusitis and high blood pressure.
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Downward Facing Dog Pose (Adho Mukha Svanasana)
Begin in a tabletop position. Place your wrists on your shoulders and knees with your hips. Exhale; curl your toes inward, uplift your knees above the yoga mat and extend your legs behind. Raise your posterior up towards the ceiling. Drive your body into upside down position. Align your head with your arms but do not let it hang. Keep your sight fixed at the navel. Hold this pose for 20-30 seconds.
Benefits: An effective posture that energizes and rekindles you. It provides a deep stretch to your hands, calves, hamstrings and strengthens the legs and shoulders.
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Bridge Pose (Setu Bandhasana)
Lie in a supine position with bent knees and arms on the floor. Bring your heels near to your posterior and firmly press your feet into the ground. Breathe out; lift your posterior, lower back, and chest up. Roll your shoulder blades away from your ears. Relax your neck and head on the floor. Join your hands together underneath your back. Hold this pose for 30-60 seconds.
Benefits: The regular practice of this pose opens the heart, chest, and shoulders. It gently massages the spine, neck, thighs, and back.
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Locust Pose (Salabhasana)
Lie flat on your stomach with arms at your side and elbows bent. Straighten your legs and keep them hip-width apart. Upon exhalation; uplift your torso, chest, and arms away from the floor. Keep your arms parallel to the ground alongside your body. Raise your legs up and above the yoga mat. Gaze in a forward direction. Hold this pose for 30-60 seconds.
Benefits: This pose strengthens and grants flexibility to the spine, legs, hips, and muscles surrounding the torso.
Practice these amazing Hatha Yoga Postures for Robustness, Vitality, and Composure.
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