“Hatha” is made up of ‘ha’ meaning ‘sun’ and ‘tha’ meaning ‘moon’. “Yoga” means “to join or unite”, so “hatha yoga” is the union of the sun and moon, it is the science of harmonising the positive and negative forces within the body and balancing active and passive energies.

Hatha yoga practice harmonises the body, breath, and mind. This is an exhilarating, holistic experience such as the intense physical pleasure one experiences when playing sports or music, or while totally absorbed in a mental task. A consistent and thoughtful hatha practice can make that experience of integration available to us at all times.

We need to remain alert while the body is completely still and relaxed when we progress to meditation. Hatha can help us remain alert without becoming drowsy and to be energetic without physical tension. No other physical activity provides these benefits. The essence of hatha is in the process – daily diving into the moment to gather the pearls of consciousness. A fruitful hatha practice requires putting aside the need to compare ourselves with others and to measure our progress. Practiced in the correct manner, hatha yoga can help the practitioner be successful in any field of action. Best of all, hatha can guide us to transform our body into a shrine where the Supreme Consciousness can shine in all its glory.

Hatha Yoga is made up of four groups of physical practice – Kriya, Asana, Pranayama and Mudra. All of them can be practised according to one’s capacity, so even people with physical limitations can benefit because attitude, breath and internal awareness are more important than external gestures.

These cleansing exercises that help to:
– Eliminate toxins and remove waste without drugs
– Remove excess fat and mucus/phlegm
– Purify the nadis (the channels through which vital energy, known as prana, circulates)
– Cultivate awareness of breathing, digestion and elimination
– Promote overall vitality

Some of the kriyas taught at Yogshakti are Neti  (Nasal Wash), Nauli  (Stomach Churning) and  Kapalabhati  (Cleansing Breath)

Pranayama uses awareness and the breathing to control the nervous system and pranic body, which is the link between the body and mind. Proper and free flow of prana through the body enhances the capacity of the nervous system and increases energy.

The benefits of pranayama:
– Oxygenates the blood and energises the body.
– Eliminates waste, thus keeping the body and nervous system free of toxins created by waste.
– Leads to a state of vital equanimity in which thought processes can be clearly observed and controlled.
– As with asanas, do not exceed a comfortable capacity in your pranayama practice.  It may lead to energy disruptions.