The word Hatha derives from two roots. Ha meaning ‘sun’ and tha meaning ‘moon’. Central to the Hatha Yoga discipline is the regulation of breath (breath flow from the left nostril is moon flow and breath flow from the right nostril is the sun flow) and the balancing and harmonizing of the male and female currents or also known as positive (sun) and negative (moon) currents.
Hatha Yoga is the most known and practiced Yoga style for its practical benefits to the health of the nervous system, glands and vital organs, and particularly for its benefit of stress reduction. Although it traditionally comprises postures, purification procedures, poses, breathing and meditation, the Hatha yoga predominantly practiced in the West consists of mostly postures or Asanas understood as physical exercises promoting health and tapping the organism’s latent energies.
There is nothing like Asanas in the Western system of body-culture; Asanas are no movements but postures to be adopted and held, mainly relaxing and effortless, refreshing rather than fatiguing. Asanas also require no special equipment or clothing and can be performed by people of any age, male or female. Their objective is to bring body, mind and spirit into harmony and balance.
Hatha Yoga in Zurich
Origin: Hatha Yoga was developed by Yogi Swatmarama, a 15th and 16th century yogic sage in India who compiled the Hatha Yoga Pradipika.
Classes: Hatha Yoga classes are conducted in a unique way by each different instructor – so Hatha with one teacher might not be the same experience as Hatha with another teacher. This applies also to Hatha classes taught at ATAIA Yoga.
Video: Watch a video of an ATAÏA teacher demonstrating Sun Salutations Hatha style.
ATAIA Yoga: ATAIA Yoga offers Hatha Yoga classes suitable for all level of Yoga experience, from beginners to advanced level, which can be joined at any point in time. Hatha Yoga classes are good starting classes for individuals who want to practice the most popular and traditional Yoga style. We recommend though beginners to try first our DISCOVERY class or ‘Yoga-for-dummies’ class which takes you through the basics of the Yoga practice in 4 hours conveniently scheduled during lunch breaks or after office hours. Please consult our schedule on ATAIA Yoga for more details or contact us directly under info@ataia-yoga.ch with your specific request.
