What is Hatha Yoga?

The word Hatha translates as "Sun Moon"
Ha= Sun, Masculine energy
Tha= Moon, Feminine energy

The word Yoga comes from the root word "Yuj" which means to Yoke, join or connect. 

So the practices of Hatha Yoga aim to balance the 2 types of energies, bringing balance to body, mind and soul.

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Hatha Yoga Pradipika
The Hatha Yoga Pradipika is one of 3 surviving texts on Hatha Yoga. It details all forms of Hatha Yoga as narrated by Yogi Svatmarama, including:
  • Chakras (Energetic wheels)
  • Nadis (Energy channels)
  • Kundalini (The Serpent)
  • Bandhas (Energy Locks)
  • Mudras (Gestures)
  • Kriyas (Cleansing practices)
  • Shakti (Cosmic energy)
These secret teachings were said to have been passed from the Hindu Lord Shiva to his consort Parvatti. Shiva is the God of transformation and re-newal so these teachings were sent to bring about positive change to the human race.

The word Pradipika means "Light on", so the Hatha Yoga Pradipika is literally "Light on the joining, or yoking of sun and moon". 

Leanne aims to teach these various elements of Hatha Yoga in her classes. 

Classical Yoga
​According to Patanjalis Yogic Philosophy there are 8 limbs of Yoga, and the practice of Asana (postures) is one of them. In his book called the Yoga Sutras, he lists them in the order they should be perfected. Leanne aims to incorporate as many of these aspects of yoga into her classes too.
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1 - Yamas – Your relationship and attitude to the world and others around
2 - Niyamas – You relationship and attitude to yourself
3 - Asana – Physical poses we practice to release stress and tension in the physical body and mind
4 - Pranayama – Breath control exercise
5 - Prathayara – Withdrawal of the senses
6 - Dharana – Concentration of the mind
7 - Dhyana – Meditation, or stilling the mind
8 - Samadhi – Enlightenment – the ultimate goal of the 8 Limbs mentioned above.

General Hatha Yoga
​General Hatha Yoga classes teach students the basic principles of Yoga. They teach students how to use their bodies in different postures called Asanas and how to align themselves correctly. Correct alignment can help improve posture and also general health as energy can move around the body in a smoother way. Some yoga philosophy teachings will be incorporated into general hatha classes and possibly some chanting. Most importantly students will learn how to breathe properly and how to relax, these are the essential aspects of any yoga class to improve stress and anxiety and combine a mind body experience of general wellbeing. Students are also taught how to use props for alignment and to work with the postures in a way that is comfortable for them.