Hatha Yoga
Hatha Yoga originated in India in the fifteenth century and was introduced by Yogi Swatmarama. Since then it has become one of the main forms of yoga and has given rise to other forms of yoga such as Ashtanga Yoga, Bikra Yoga, Kundalini Yoga and Power Yoga.The word 'Hatha' comes from the ancient Sanskrit for 'Ha' (meaning 'Sun') and 'Tha' (meaning 'Moon') and this is no coincidence. The Hatha form of yoga is a unification of the positive (Sun) and negative (Moon) elements in the human body and endeavours to strike a balance between mind and body by principally using the third Asana and fourth Pranayam from the Eight Limbs of Yoga. Hatha also draws upon meditation and relaxation as well as Shatkriya (purification) and Mudras (poses).
Successful practitioners of Hatha Yoga will look to benefit from an improvement in their general health and a more relaxed attitude towards life. Through the Asanas, their physical strength should also increase along with bone structure and muscle tone. Pranayam plays a major part in Hatha Yoga, too. From the beginning of Yoga, Yogis have considered that keeping a tight rein on one's breathing (Pranayam) is the key to controlling one's mind. Meditation is also deemed to be an important aspect and see the contemplation of the mind as being a way to both inner peace and increased concentration.
Hatha Yoga is used as a way of treating physical ailments such as arthritis, diabetes, hypertension and scoliosis as well as helping with circulation, endocrinal and immune-based problems while performing Pranayams can reduce asthma and bronchitis.
The great thing about Hatha Yoga is that it is suitable for all ages - from very young children right the way through to very elderly people. The various Asanas and Pranayams successfully manage to provide a pleasant workout which is thorough but not over-demanding. That said, it is a sport/hobby and, as such, it requires a level of dedication to keep working on the poses and the meditation in order to keep moving along the path towards both enlightenment and achieving one's true and full potential.
If you are looking to reduce the stress and anxiety in your life, investigate your spiritual side and want to improve your physique without becoming a fitness-freak, then you could do a lot worse than considering taking up Hatha Yoga.