What is hatha yoga? Hatha yoga’s focus is to get to a place of cognizant relaxation. During hatha class, there will be asanas (physical exercises), pranayama (breathwork), and meditation. Hatha yoga is great for people of all ages and all levels. The only requirement is to be able to get up and down off the floor. If someone is not able to get up and down off the floor, I suggest Chair yoga (which I teach as well).

Yoga comes from India where Sanskrit is the language spoken. Many of the yoga poses have Sanskrit names. I usually use both English and Sanskrit. This will expose you to Sanskrit terms so that if you find yourself in a yoga class that only uses Sanskrit, you will be familiar with the terms.

During a hatha yoga, we hold the poses for a few breaths. This increases muscular strength as well as flexibility. We also work on our balance during class. Inversions are not a part of my classes due to my audience. We occasionally do legs up the wall, but that is the extent of inversions.

There is an extended savasana. Savasana means relaxation. I usually will lead a guided relaxation, walking my students through a progressive relaxation of their muscles. We then transition to a recovery position. Lying on one’s side and breathing at a comfortable pace. This is the time where one can integrate the lessons they learned on their mat in class that day with their life and how these lessons may help them out in the world.

Next, we come to a comfortable seated position. The important thing here is to have a straight spine. We chant for a minute. Then we practice breathwork for a minute. Next, we do a visualization meditation for a minute.
Finally, we close the class with the sound of “Om”.