The word hatha in Sanskrit is a combination of "ha" which means the sun and "tha" which means the moon. This combination of words was used and is used to describe this form of yoga as doing hatha yoga poses aim at bringing together the opposite currents in the system.Yoga poses have been practised as some say for 5000 years. Today, then have been very popular among yoga lovers as they have proved to be very effective for improvements in balancing the body, mind and spirit. Hatha poses incorporate and include breathing techniques which helps to improve mental concentration.
Regular practice of hatha yoga and the poses associated with it can improve the flexibility of the body allowing it to stretch easily; it also regularizes the respiration process and improves the practitioner's posture. Yoga poses strengthen and balance one through stretching, giving the body a calming and relaxing effect. Hatha yoga poses are bound to improve the physical, mental and spiritual aspect of one's health. The larger goal of yoga is to blend the spirit of the universe with the spirit of the mind and hence help in achieving eternal bliss.
While practising yoga postures one should breathe normally at first and over time the breath will become deeper. Breathing deeply and effortlessly during the body exercise part of yoga allows the diaphragm to open and expand easily. While practicing, one should be cautious enough to avoid force or strain during the stretching positions. Most of the hatha yoga poses can be practised by beginners, however one should skip the poses which one is not comfortable with and should wait till the body is ready to take the physical challenges posed by the more complex yoga asanas (poses).
Yoga positions are mainly aimed at relaxing the body and enlightening the spirit within which acts to increase the harmony between the spirit, mind and body which in turn enables the spiritual energy to flow freely through the channels of energy. Yoga helps greatly in the maintenance of a healthy body which helps in building a positive attitude towards life.
The experience of hatha yoga poses is so relaxing that many people who practice these asanas regularly compare it with floating. Yoga also has benefits for people and children who face problems in concentrating, as the positive attitude developed through these hatha yoga poses keeps the mind healthy and aids in good concentration. Hanging poses like rag doll can work quickly in increasing concentration.
Hatha yoga and the poses associated with it have been tried and tested for a long time which clearly indicates it has benefited one person after another. There is no doubt that practicing hath yoga poses regularly will help attain new and higher levels of physical and mental well being.
