Hatha yoga asanas help to calm the mind and body by balancing the masculine and feminine energies in the body. Let us tell you the benefits of hatha yoga.
![A woman doing yoga A woman doing yoga](https://images.healthshots.com/healthshots/en/uploads/2024/03/18200828/Hatha-yoga-1-370x207.jpg)
Hatha yoga is a yoga system rooted in yogic traditions and culture. It aims to enhance the flexibility of the body by combining the richness of both solar and lunar energies. Hatha yoga asanas offer numerous benefits, including increased spine flexibility, improved immunity, and mental calmness. Although beginners may find some of the positions challenging, with practice, they will get better. Hatha yogis aim to refine not only the muscles and the locomotor system but also the whole being, including the mind, nervous system, and vital inner organs. Let’s explore the benefits of hatha yoga and how to include it in your routine.
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Hatha yoga: 5 poses to improve flexibility
Hatha yoga asanas help to calm the mind and body by balancing the masculine and feminine energies in the body. Let us tell you the benefits of hatha yoga.
![A woman doing yoga A woman doing yoga](https://images.healthshots.com/healthshots/en/uploads/2024/03/18200828/Hatha-yoga-1-370x207.jpg)
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Hatha yoga is a yoga system rooted in yogic traditions and culture. It aims to enhance the flexibility of the body by combining the richness of both solar and lunar energies. Hatha yoga asanas offer numerous benefits, including increased spine flexibility, improved immunity, and mental calmness. Although beginners may find some of the positions challenging, with practice, they will get better. Hatha yogis aim to refine not only the muscles and the locomotor system but also the whole being, including the mind, nervous system, and vital inner organs. Let’s explore the benefits of hatha yoga and how to include it in your routine.
What is hatha yoga?
“Hatha” is a combination of two Sanskrit words: “Ha” which means the sun and “tha” which means the moon. The goal of hatha yoga is to align the sun and the moon in you. The purpose of practising hatha yoga is to prepare your body, mind, and spirit for meditation by calming them. It is a practical form of the ancient Indian yogic discipline that aims to promote mental and physical health, inner serenity, and happiness. In addition, practising hatha yoga helps to balance your masculine and feminine aspects, which deepens your consciousness. It is the first step towards achieving a balance between masculine and feminine energy, which is essential for realising your maximum potential, says yoga expert Dr Hansaji Jayadeva Yogendra.
![Woman doing padmasana amidst nature Woman doing padmasana amidst nature](https://images.healthshots.com/healthshots/en/uploads/2024/01/23191955/padmasana-370x207.jpg)
What are the benefits of hatha yoga asanas?
Here are some of the potential benefits of hatha yoga asanas:
- Hatha yoga encourages stretching and holding poses, gradually increasing flexibility in muscles and joints.
- Asanas in hatha yoga engage various muscle groups, promoting strength and endurance.
- This type of yoga emphasises proper alignment and balance, which translates into improved posture.
- Practicing hatha yoga helps in the reduction of stress and anxiety.
5 hatha yoga asanas for your overall well-being
Here is a complete guide on how to do hatha yoga asanas.
1. Kukkutasana or cockerel pose
It embodies balance and strength, connecting you to your spiritual energy, says the expert.
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How to do:
- Start in padmasana or lotus pose.
- Insert hands between calves and thighs.
- Push arms through, reaching elbows.
- Place palms on the floor, fingers forward.
- Straighten your head, gaze ahead, and lift your body with your hands.
- Maintain a straight back, and hold the pose.
- Lower back to the floor, releasing arms and legs.
- Repeat with leg position change.
2. Uttana Koormasana or inverted tortoise pose
It is an advanced variation of Kukkutasana.
How to do:
- Begin in padmasana foot-lock, crossing the right foot over the left thigh and the left foot over the right thigh.
- Insert hands between thighs and calves, reaching elbows.
- Hold the neck with your hands, forming a finger lock, and lie on your back.
- Maintain the pose as long as comfortable.
- Release by unlocking fingers and returning to a sitting position.
3. Siddhasana or perfect pose
It is a revered yoga posture, symbolising adeptness and perfection. Its roots trace back to ancient texts, highlighting its significance in meditation and liberation, says the expert.