“Studies suggest that yoga in general, has a positive effect on learning and memory. And it’s no secret that researchers have been studying yoga for years to see if it can slow the aging process and increase quality longevity.”
As a Holistic Health Practitioner, I work with the whole person — body, mind, and spirit. One of the first things I do with new clients is to introduce them to Hatha yoga. And while there are many types of yoga, this particular system is a gentle style that helps the practitioner achieve balance— harmony—between the body and mind.
Originally intended to prepare the body for meditation, the word “Hatha” comes from the Sanskrit terms: “ha” meaning “sun,” and “tha” meaning “moon.” Hatha yoga unites opposites— the yin/yang energy flow in the human body:
• Yin energy is feminine, calming, and cooling. It’s associated with the left—receiving—side of the body and is lunar in nature.
• Yang energy is masculine, stimulating, and heating. It’s associated with the right—projecting— side of the body and is solar in nature.
For those whose native language is English, the word “Hatha” looks like it would be pronounced “hah-thah,” but the actual pronunciation is “huh-tuh,” with a soft “t” made by placing your tongue on the roof of your mouth instead of directly behind your front teeth.
Hatha yoga utilizes a gentle flow of poses—asanas—that rejuvenate the body’s core. This in turn, improves physical alignment, increases strength, stamina, and enhances flexibility. But it doesn’t stop there. The added element of focused breathing—pranayama—serves to free the more subtle spiritual elements—an effective precursor for meditation.
Studies suggest that yoga, in general, has a positive effect on learning and memory. And it’s no secret that researchers have been studying yoga for years to see if it can slow the aging process and increase quality longevity.
Whether you’re eight or eighty, the benefits of Hatha yoga are numerous.
Consistent practice is an effective way to:
• Increase lung capacity, oxygen absorption, resistance to disease, body awareness, balance, relaxation, concentration, consciousness, and overall wellbeing.
• Decrease stiffness, hardening of the arteries, hormonal fluctuations, loss of bone density, stress, depression, the chance of falls, pain, and mobility issues.
The only way to be certain of what yoga can do for you is to try it yourself. Buddha said, “If you want to know what your future will be like, then look at your life right now.” Don’t wait—begin your practice today and empower your life with yoga.
