Vikash

Hatha yoga deals mostly with body and breathing exercises which prepare one to become aware of his internal states. Hatha yoga exercises are designed in such a way that the body becomes an instrument for treading the path of higher life. Hatha Yoga comprises of the first four steps of Raja Yoga or Ashtang yoga. Yamas and Niyamas are the ten commitment of yoga. The third step in Raja Yoga is Asana or posture. Specific postures have got their own therapeutic effects. The fourth step of Raja Yoga is Pranayama or control of Prana, the vital energy that sustains body and mind. Pranayama is also called the science of breathing. A continuous regulation of the breathing rhythm leads to a calm mind. In addition, the exercises of Pranayama purify and strengthen the nervous system.

One has to practice and perfect Asanas and Pranayamas to scale the higher rungs of yoga. Hatha yoga is therefore necessary to ensure physical health and harmony. A manual of Hatha Yoga would have to be consulted for precautionary measures to be observed and personal instructions from a competent teacher are necessary in the more advanced postures.

When one starts practicing postures accurately he becomes more aware of variations in the flow of the breath, and then teacher can begin to give him various techniques of breathing exercises, or Pranayama. So initially one should learn Asanas and Pranayama from a good teacher and then one can practice independently.

The focus of Iyengar yoga on postural alignment can alleviate postural/structural problems. It can also release emotional tensions. The yoga is demanding in effort and in attention to detail within the posture, which increases concentration and focus helping to relieve the mind and body of stress.