How to Explain Hatha Yoga

Because there are many new and wildly different styles of yoga, and because many people only have vague notions about yoga based on depictions in popular media, defining hatha yoga to newcomers can be a challenge. Trying to explain the entire history may feel daunting. You don't have to teach everything about the subject at once --- over time, you may have the opportunity to broaden and deepen the discussion and explain finer details. To start, discuss the key elements of the history of hatha yoga, and how it is practiced today.

Instructions

    • 1

      Review the history. Learning about the deep roots of the tradition can provide good insight into how yoga has transformed over time. Defining the Sanskrit words, hatha yoga, can also be helpful. Translated simply, "ha" means sun in Sanskrit, "tha" means moon, and "yoga" means union. A very basic definition of hatha yoga is that it is a practice that strives to connect the sun and moon energies within the body into one equanimous force. The metaphor illustrates the effort to harmonize all aspects of the self. The most well-known teachings in yoga appear in ancient texts called the Rig Veda, Hatha Yoga Pradipika, and Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, which were written in ancient India. Yoga scholars generally believe that yoga began around 5,000 years ago, although there is still much debate because few artifacts remain.

    • 2

      Explain the core principles. Hatha yoga practitioners generally believe that practicing yoga postures and breathing techniques can calm the mind and sufficiently prepare it for meditation. Yoga postures train the mind and body to focus, and ultimately, experience transcendence. Patanjali's Yoga Sutras outlines a system of practice that encourages people to not harm others, refrain from greed and practice truthfulness. In the west, some people practice yoga for the physical benefits, and do not focus as much on the aspects of yoga that pursue enlightenment.

    • 3

      Describe physical benefits. Practicing hatha yoga postures on a regular basis can result in many positive physical health benefits, including improved strength, balance and flexibility. Yoga has been shown to relieve stress and anxiety, alleviate depression, improve lung function, aid circulation and lower blood pressure. Depending on what kind of yoga you practice, it can improve fitness, tone muscles and help with weight loss.

    • 4

      Summarize the main styles. It is helpful to briefly describe different kinds of yoga that are currently practiced to give an illustration of the spectrum of available options. One might describe the difference in emphasis between styles like Iyengar yoga, Ashtanga yoga, Kundalini yoga, Anusara yoga and Bikram yoga. Mention gentler variations like kid's yoga, prenatal yoga, senior yoga, therapeutic yoga and restorative yoga.