About Hatha Yoga

Yoga means 'to yoke' or 'to join'. Through knowledge and skilful practice hatha yoga aims to harmoniously unify body, breath and mind in such a way that the body becomes an instrument for treading the path of inner development.

Hatha refers to the relationship between the differing energies in our body, breath and mind. Ha and tha are symbolic syllables used to indicate the flow of breath in the right and left nostrils. Hatha yoga exercises are designed to awaken and harmonise the energies of our internal states.                                

The term 'Hatha Yoga' is a generic one, and it covers all styles of physical yoga such as Astanga, Viniyoga, Iyengar, and Sivananda Yoga. Here at the Himalayan Institute our teachers' backgrounds and approaches differ slightly, but they are all influenced by the Himalayan practice of Hatha Yoga as taught by Swami Rama.

Yoga postures are a remedy for the whole person. They promote health and energy. There is no achievement level or competition. Each person works within their own capacity, and it is for this reason that yoga is beneficial to all regardless of age, gender, body shape or previous experience.

We offer four levels of Hatha Yoga Classes, they vary from gentle for beginners, to quite demanding, but all contain a variety of postures (asana), breathing exercises and relaxation. They may also contain some chanting and some meditation practice.    

Yoga 1: Beginners

Begin your yoga practice with this ten-week balanced programme introducing all the essentials of Hatha Yoga practice. Improve your health and energy levels through a progression of safe and relaxing yoga stretches and postures. Learn basic relaxation techniques.                                                                          

Yoga 2: Improvers

Continue your Yoga practice with this ten week structured course. Continue  exploring all the essentials of Hatha Yoga practice. Integrate breath with the body. Learn to thoroughly relax the body & breath. For those who have completed a beginner's course (or equivalent) and feel ready to move on.

Yoga 3 & 4: Intermediate Classes

Develop your yoga practice, exploring new and more difficult postures, and variations to postures, whilst continuing with your relaxation, and beginning meditation. Increase your flexibility and endurance.  This course is generally for those with yoga experience and who ideally practice asana work and meditation at home.

Click here to see our schedule of Yoga classes