Sharma Yoga

hatha yoga

Hatha yoga is about finding balance and is a great place to start if you are new to yoga or for those wanting to reconnect and re-establish their practice or deepen your practice because you get the time and space to become familiar with yoga poses.

Hatha yoga has been around for thousands of years. Historically yoga began as a spiritual practice in India however the western world’s perception of yoga is primarily a type of fitness regimen a refreshing and healing type of work out.

Hatha yoga practices physical postures designed to build strength and flexibility, however it also works on a mental level bringing balance and focus, calming our nervous system helping build resilience mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. As you tune in to your body, you start to listen more and those listening skills don’t just switch off the moment you step off the mat you carry them into your everyday life.

In essence, Hatha yoga is an age – old, yet new discipline that still promotes no harm and encourages you to embrace nature’s duality while uniting the timeless union of mind body and spirit

What to expect during a Hatha Yoga class?

Hatha yoga isn’t about nailing the perfect pose, it’s an opportunity to relax and calm your body and mind. Although considered a gentle practice, this style can be challenging too

When you come to class my focus and intention is to provide a safe space for you to practice with correct alignment, offer modifications and adjustments where needed and ensure you are moving, holding, and integrating safely through all aspects of your practice.

A Hatha yoga class follows a sequence - ’Based on three main elements’

Breathwork

Pranayama

Start of class focus on the breath and warm up the body, gentle movement to start and continue to build heat through.

Build it

Asanas

Starting with Surya Namaskar (sun salutation) then moving through a series of poses from standing working towards the floor, mindfully holding these poses for the count of 4 – 8 breaths focusing on proper alignment.

Meditation/Mindfullness

Dhyana

Completing the practice with breathing exercises and finally to integrate and allow the practice to settle into relaxation (shivasana)