Benefits of Hatha Yoga

Yoga is an exercise discipline which has its roots in India. The word Yoga, means the the union of body, mind and soul. The mudra or the symbolic gesture of joining the tip of your thumb to the tip of your index finger, denotes the union of self with God. Shiva, the Hindu lord is shown to be seated in a similar manner to attain his yogic meditative trance. The origin of yoga dates back to the 'Sat Yug', which is the age of truth. The Indus valley civilization also saw yoga as an exercise and an integral part of their lifestyle. The seals found from the civilization are a testimony to this fact. Benefits of Hatha Yoga are marvelous, but only if followed regularly.

Yoga has many branches or methods of conduct and hatha yoga is one of them. Swami Swatmarama, the founder of this discipline wrote about Hatha Yoga as preparation for physical purification and a method to achieve a higher meditative state. Etymology, of the word 'Hatha' suggests, that 'Ha' means the sun and 'tha' means the moon in the Sanskrit language. However, these are only symbolic references.

Hatha Yoga involves, asanas or yoga poses, shartkriya or purification, mudras or hand gestures, pranayam or breathing and dhyan or meditation. This form of yoga is mainly practiced for its stress-busting ability. In the maddening race of hectic lives, yoga helps in bringing about self healing and equilibrium in thought and personal power.

A Helpline: Hatha Yoga
Hatha yoga has both psychological and physical benefits. It makes the body more flexible and improves the mobility in muscle joint. It also boosts metabolism and thus, is a great way of loosing weight. Additionally, it tones up the body, bringing back the lost shape. On the plus side, the stretches made while attaining the yogic postures, stimulate the glands to function better. For the diabetic people, practicing hatha yoga keeps the blood sugar level under control.

Hatha Yoga helps in curing and controlling disorders like asthma, back pain, scoliosis, high cholesterol levels in blood. It increases the stamina, and brings a grace in physical conduct.

Hatha yoga differs from other form of exercises as it does not cause any strain or imbalance to the body, yet maintains fitness. No expensive equipment is required to follow the exercise. It can be done at home or at any gym or class. Patience is a virtue and the same is true when it comes to witnessing the effects of Hatha Yoga. Even a dedicated month long regime is enough to produce a few results, but the regime has be follow rigorously.

This near to perfect exercise, yoga has been practiced since thousands of years. Along with the exercises, the breathing aspect of this branch is essential. Breathing is the very first lesson of life. As we grow older our breathing becomes shallow and hence it decreases the rate of metabolism. Pranayam, a breathing exercise controls the breathing rate and energizes the body. Maybe it's the breathing technique that gives turtles a longevity of life!

Benefits of hatha yoga are several, but it takes commitment and loyalty towards self to get into the discipline. Apart from its health benefits, this ancient Indian form of exercise will awaken your spiritual side providing you an opportunity to anchor yourself once again. Thus it can be safely put, that the "side effects" (pun intended) of Hatha Yoga are physical, psychological, medical and spiritual.