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Hatha yoga combines physical exercise and mental discipline, with the goal of integrating and invigorating both body and mind. It consists primarily of poses, known as asanas, designed to increase strength and flexibility, and controlled breathing, known as pranayamic breathing.

Tadasana, or the mountain pose is a great pose in yoga for beginners. If done regularly, it helps in the overall development of the body. Tadasana pose is one of the best hatha yoga poses to relieve your back pain and helps in weight loss.

By Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500 The study of Hatha Yoga involves many different aspects. Yoga teacher interns should study the history and philosophies of Yoga, the poses (asanas), breathing exercises (pranayama), meditation techniques, teaching methods, ethics, and guidelines for student safety. Anatomy and Kinesiology are also important areas of study for Yoga instructors. The study of human anatomy encompasses the placement of the body's bones, and the specific systems within the body. Since every aspect of Hatha Yoga involves the mind and body, the study of anatomy makes sense for a well-rounded Yoga education.

By Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500 Many practitioners practice Hatha Yoga poses, but often wonder how long each pose should be held. During the process of holding Yoga poses (asanas), there is actually no definitive amount of time that should be applied to each move. The asana should be held as long as it is comfortable and does not cause any pain or discomfort. In addition, it should be quite easy to breathe deeply and fully while holding each Yoga pose.

By Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500 The term "flow Yoga" is an abbreviated form of the phrase "Vinyasa Flow Yoga." This form of Yoga is based on movements synchronized with breath. The word 'flow' refers to the way the poses are strung together gracefully, and how the Yoga practitioner moves with each breath, while the sequence of movements come together like a dance. Even though it is seen in many Hatha style classes, one of the most popular sequences of Vinyasa Yoga is Surya Namaskar (the Sun Salutations). Many Yoga practitioners know this series, and its many variations, quite well. For anyone who wants to add flowing movement into his or her asana routine, this can be a great starting point. Chandra Namaskar (Moon Salutations) may also be of interest for anyone looking to go further into Vinyasa flows.

There are many poses in yoga for beginners that give you a lot of benefits. Shashankasana, or the hare pose is one such hatha yoga pose which strengthens your muscles, refreshes your brain and benefits the heart and the reproductive organs alike.

By Faye Martins When we teach yoga classes, what are our students taking home with them? Do some students see it only as an exercise? Yoga has exploded into a popular fitness trend, around the world, for the past two decades. Well known for its relaxation and breathing techniques, yoga as a way of life has spread like fire through studios across the world and into gyms, fitness clubs, senior centers and even public schools. There are many different styles and techniques, with each style focusing on a specific emphasis that tends to characterize it. Ashtanga vinyasa yoga, for example, is a practice that highlights the physical challenges of yoga whereas Iyengar is a slower version of Hatha that allows practitioners to concentrate on pose mastery and yogic philosophy.

Yoga asanas not only have the power strengthen your body, but also soothe your mind from all the stress and thinking. Halasana or the plough pose is a unique pose that rejuvenates your mind and body by improving the overall system.

An effective yoga pose for beginners, Dhanurasana is the eight asana in the 12 basic postures of hatha yoga. Also known as The Bow Pose owing to its shape, dhanurasana aids in the loss of belly fat and strengthens several areas in the body.

By Lisa Beasley It doesn't matter what you are taught during your Yoga instructor certification course, some people will always see Yogic practices as a form of exercise that is used to achieve different goals. Some people use it as their main form of exercise. There are numerous types to choose from, ranging from the gentle stretching and low impact of Hatha to the very intense and invigorating Power Yoga. Athletes often rely on Yogic methods as part of their training regimen and as a way to increase flexibility and strength. The bottom line is that anyone, regardless of fitness level, (or lack thereof) can benefit from doing Yoga. A certified Yoga teacher will be able to communicate with his or her class to see what the students are expecting, as well as offer variations on different poses.

Hatha yoga stretches are effective for toning the arms and can often be done by people who have limited flexibility. The upper body can...

By Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500 Is Yoga for shaping and strengthening the core muscles realistic? Hatha Yoga practitioners benefit physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually from many different Yogic techniques (poses, breathing exercises, and meditation, etc). One of the physical benefits experienced by Yoga practitioners is the shaping and strengthening of the core muscles. Yoga for shaping and strengthening, in turn, helps to maintain correct posture and prevents heart-related conditions from developing. Shaping the core muscles is not about developing a six-pack to show off. It is, instead, about developing a healthy physique, as a result of taking care of the body.

Yoga poses are effective in treating depressions, anxiety and stress level. See this video for getting information on how hatha yoga asanas can provide you a natural remedy for these diseases.

Kandharasana, also known as the Shoulder pose is a powerful yoga posture that benefits the upper torso region in various ways. Kandarasana corrects the spinal defects, massages the abdominal organs and improves digestion.

By Faye Martins As a hatha yoga instructor, you might always include hip openers in your classes, and they are needed now, more than ever. The majority of our yoga students spend all day sitting behind a desk and staring at a computer screen. Even those, who don't have an office job, spend a disproportionate amount of time sitting. All of this sitting leads to some very tight hips. What yoga poses are best for restoring hip health? Take a look at these three hip-opening poses below and modify the directions to accommodate your students.

There are numerous Yoga asanas that benefits body in a lot of ways. Ardha Shalabasana or the half-locust pose is one such poses which aids in strengthening of muscles, relieving back pain, stimulating organs and also improves digestion.

By Faye Martins People understand that Yoga training can be beneficial to their overall health, but few of them understand the importance of breathing properly while performing yoga. Each breath we take, whether it is a long and deep breath or a short panting breath, has a physical effect on our bodies. Combine this with the mental and muscular exercises in Hatha Yoga, and the way one breathes while transitioning through or when holding a pose is just as important as the pose itself.

The 12 basic postures of hatha yoga ensure strengthening our body in different ways. Paschimottanasana or the Seated Forward-bend Pose is the fifth of the 12 poses, and offers extensive benefits to the lower back, hips and hamstrings.

By Kathryn Boland Have you wondered how often you should change up your sequences? How much? Does that seem to vary at different places where you teach? Some styles of yoga, such as Bikram and Ashtanga, have a set sequence that students practice every class. With Hatha and Vinyasa, however, teachers have the freedom to vary sequences class to class. In a way, that becomes an obligation, because students start to expect it. Offering new poses, transitions and flows also gives students places into which they can grow. It helps them to drink a few more drops of the vast ocean that is yoga practice.

The study and practice of pranayama is an essential and important factor in developing a sustained hatha yoga practice. (Prana means the life force, and yama means discipline.)