In today’s hectic times, we are all suffering from one or the other ailment. If nothing else, people have insomnia or indigestion. Our work has transformed in such a way that we have to sit idle before a desk for long hours while our brain worries about the entire world. This is a big mismatch that our body and mind go through. Regular practice of yoga can reduce the gap between these mismatches and become very beneficial.
Hatha yoga is a type of yoga in which you hold particular body positions called asanas to strengthen your muscles and link your mind to your body. Hatha yoga is one of the most common styles of yoga performed in the United States, Europe, and India, and research has connected it to mental and physical health advantages such as stress management and stronger core muscles. In this article by leading yoga classes in Abu Dhabi, “Open Circle Yoga”, we will study in detail the benefits of practicing Hatha yoga.
Let Us First Understand What Hatha Yoga Is
Hatha means “stubborn” in Sanskrit. So, Hatha yoga practice refers to the determination to do yoga without the intrusion of the five senses or the mind. Most people associate Hatha Yoga with asana practice.
The strict practice of asana, pranayama, dharana, and dhyana, however, is required to acquire the exalted and sublime condition of samadhi. In samadhi, the yogi transcends the illusions of form, time, and space. This route includes six practices, including asana.
Hatha Yoga evolved from Raja Yoga. It is a simplified version of Raja Yoga (without the Yamas and Niyamas). In layman’s terms, Hatha Yoga encompasses all yoga postures and pranayama activities. So, whether you do any yoga asanas or practice pranayama, you are practicing hatha yoga.
Some Natha lineage yogis were impatient and began practicing asanas before learning the Yama and Niyamas as prescribed in Raja Yoga in the early 15th century. These natha yogis had to work harder than other people in those times since their minds were not ready for more practice. They dubbed their yoga practice “stubborn.” These Natha Yogis continued to practice the asanas till they had perfected them. This method of doing Raja Yoga, which did not follow the proper order of first learning the Yamas and Niyamas, was dubbed “Hatha Yoga,” and today it has become the standard yoga that has spread over the world. In the Middle East, you can learn Hatha yoga at one of the best Hatha yoga classes in Abu Dhabi, Open Circle Yoga classes.
Let Us Now Study The Benefits Of Practicing Hatha Yoga
Hatha Yoga Helps to Strengthen Core Muscles
Have you always envied those fashion models on the cover pages of a magazine that have perfect abs? Here is the solution for you: practice hatha yoga. Hatha yoga helps people get those perfect abs by strengthening core muscles.
Core muscles are vital for total body function since they can help avoid lower back discomfort, enhance balance, and reduce the risk of muscular damage. Hatha yoga positions such as plank and warrior can help develop your core muscles, which comprise the muscles in your belly, sides, pelvis, and back. Yoga can also be beneficial for people who wish to develop their core but are unable to conduct high-intensity workouts such as jogging or weight lifting, such as elderly people or people with specific impairments. Hatha yoga improves your core muscles by requiring you to hold positions for extended periods, which works muscles such as your abs and glutes. You can even join private yoga classes in Abu Dhabi at Open Circle Yoga studio and start your fitness journey.
1. Yoga Helps In Combating Insomnia
Hatha yoga can help you lower your cortisol levels, which are linked to your sleep pattern. Because low cortisol levels indicate to your body that it’s time to sleep, performing yoga before bed can help you sleep faster.
According to some experts, yoga can help you sleep better because it focuses on attentive breathing and meditation, which can help you calm your mind and body before going to bed.
A 2013 study examined three short pieces of research on the influence of yoga on sleeping patterns. The studies employed various lengths of yoga practice – some sessions lasted as short as 7 weeks, while others lasted 6 months. The research revealed that in all the studies, participants slept better than they had ever slept before. So if you are also somebody who struggles with sleep, then join a reputed yoga studio in Abu Dhabi near you and see the amazing effects of yoga on your sleep.
2. Battle Depression With The Help Of Yoga
For battling depression, medical experts provide medicines that help manage and increase levels of neurotransmitters. Practicing Hatha yoga helps manage neurotransmitters in the human body in a similar way that medications do.
Practicing regular yoga increases levels of neurotransmitters such as GABA and serotonin in your brain. Yoga increases these levels without causing any side effects or reactions in the body. That is why many medical practitioners who treat depression recommend that their patients practice regular yoga along with medications.
Also, the study that we discussed above, the same study research, saw the effects of yoga on symptoms of depression. The study revealed that when participants practiced yoga for an even shorter duration, they showed improved signs of battling depression. So, if you or someone you know is depressed, enroll them in one of the best yoga classes in Abu Dhabi and give them the gift of good mental health.
3. Say Goodbye To Stress By Practicing Hatha Yoga
While Hatha yoga is physically rigorous, it may also assist you in relaxing and de-stressing. This is because yoga impacts your neurological and endocrine systems, which govern physical activities such as hormone release and blood pressure variations.
When you are stressed, your cortisol levels and blood pressure both rise. However, according to 2017 research published in Complementary Therapies in Medicine, those who practiced Hatha yoga before performing a stressful activity had lower cortisol levels and blood pressure thereafter than those who did not do yoga. Join your nearest yoga center in Abu Dhabi today to lead a more joyful and energetic life.
Concluding Lines
Hatha yoga can help you improve your physical health while also reducing stress. If you want to start a yoga practice, make sure you pick a qualified yoga instructor or studio, such as Open Circle Yoga Studio in Abu Dhabi.
