The differences between Hatha Yoga and Ashtanga yoga
Hatha yoga (also called Shatanga, (six-limb), yoga or classical yoga), in Sanskrit translates to Ha meaning Sun and Tha meaning Moon). Hatha is considered the oldest form of yoga (2nd century BC) and is seen as the origins of the contemporary yoga. Hatha comprises of flowing movements strongly connected to the breath, as well as held postures using the breath to understand and support the internal dynamics of the pose. Hatha has many asanas (postures), pranayamas (breathing exercise), Shatkarmas (purification exercises), and different forms of mediations (Japa etc), and forms a solid base for Ashtanga and the modern yoga styles to sit upon.
One of the wonderful things about Hatha yoga is it is slower moving; the longer holds give time to focus on the asana (and technique) as a vehicle for yoga, allowing body, mind and breath to unite, increasing vitality and wellbeing of body, mind and soul. I feel Hatha yoga was created as a meditation and therein lies its great strength.
Hatha yoga is based on six important principles:
ASANA – Posture: a steady state of body and mind PRANAYAMA – Breathing techniques to expansion of capacity of, and to retain prana
PRATYAHARA – Sense withdrawal from the sensory input DHARANA – Focused concentration. Bringing the mind to one single point
DHYANA – Meditative absorption. Observing the self SAMADHI – Bliss or Enlightenment. Becoming free from illusion
Ashtanga yoga, (also known as Raja Yoga) in Sanskrit, means eight-limbed (asta- eight, anga- limb). It is a faster paced, dynamic style of yoga, which can be physically and mentally demanding. Body, breath and mind are linked into a continuous flowing sequence of asana which heat and detox the body, building strength and stamina. The sequences get progressively harder as you get more adept.
Ashtanga is based on eight important principles
YAMA – Restraints, moral disciplines or moral vows NIYAMA – Positive duties or observances
ASANA – Posture PRANAYAMA – Breathing Techniques
PRATYAHARA – Sense withdrawal DHARANA – Focused Concentration
DHYANA – Meditative Absorption SAMADHI – Bliss or Enlightenment
Most modern style of yoga are Ashtanga based but one thing is for sure; both styles offer many benefits and are different enough to appeal to the differing needs of those interested in embracing yoga as a way of life. They are both a panacea to the almost out of control existence we lead today and can become a calm port in the storm.
General yoga classes
Beginner level Hatha
Mixed level Hatha classes
Raja Yoga
Pranayama classes (weekly)
These classes use controlled yoga breathing exercise and techniques to bring, and move, prana into and around the body. They require the higher functioning brain to be achieved, taking us out of the limbic (emotional) brain and into a natural state of mindfulness and meditation.
Class Offerings
Yoga Nidra (weekly)
Yoga Nidra is a form of yoga concentrating on deep, mindful relaxation. It is a panacea for many of the stress related diseases appearing in the world today such as hypertension, insomnia, anxiety, chronic pain etc.
By following simple directions, you take a systematic journey around the body, mindfully releasing stress out of each region then keeping the mind actively focused on images designed to help you access your inner world.
Yoga Nidra not only relaxes the body but helps to reprogram the personality away from automatic stress responses into a more relaxed way of being in the world. This is achieved through activating the higher centres of the brain to take control of the limbic, or emotional brain. Once the limbic brain starts to gear down, the oldest part of your brain can stop its fight and flight response to emotional stress and switch off the production of stress hormones. This allows the relaxing hormones to take their place and elicit a physical relaxation experience
Meditation
During these sessions we learn to observe thoughts and feelings without judgment or attachment. It. isn’t about becoming a different person, a new person, or even a better person, it’s about training, in awareness, and getting a healthy sense of perspective.
Techniques – such as yoga breathing, mindfulness, or focusing the mind on a particular object, thought, or activity – to train our attention and awareness, with the hope of eventually achieving a mentally clarity and an emotionally calm and stable state: Meditation is to the mind what physical exercise is to the body.
Yoga self-massage (weekly)
A deeply relaxing yoga class which combines asana and acupressure. After nearly 40 years of practicing both yoga and shiatsu, I naturally combined the two into an integrated system to gain the many benefits of both practices. Yoga is a great vehicle for stretching out the meridians and working on specific organs and giving easy access to many massage points.
Broken down peoples class (weekly)
This class is especially for those of us who have had, or have any injury’s, major or minor, physical or mental. It is a beginner level class and works at strengthening the body for the inside out, using our fine-tuning muscles
Acu-yoga (a range of short courses)
A low level yoga course combining the knowledge and understanding of 2 complementary eastern practices, in a systematic sequence of asana.
Timetable
going live soon
Mary
In the mid 1980’s, I lived at the Sivananda Yoga Centre in Henderson, Auckland (for approx. 3 yrs) where I learned the older traditional style of Hatha yoga from my guruji (an exponent with over 45 years of teaching). 40 years later, I am still teaching and practicing both yoga and pranayama, and loving it.
It is important for everyone to feel comfortable in class, so over the years I have developed a softer teaching style (I call it the iron fist in the fluffy glove) which encourages a deeper connection between body, mind and breath, an awareness of asana as a vehicle of yoga, pranayama and meditation, essentially Raja yoga. I use simple metaphors to facilitate this connection, and understanding of the science of yoga, to helps aspiring yogin’s keep their minds focused on the task at hand, in order to internalize their practice. Although my style/delivery uses Hatha as the physical vehicle, I also like to include of a lot of Kriya based practices, plus other goodies I have been generously gifted, over the years, from my other teachers. My offerings will not only suit the old campaigner or the new adherent, but also anyone wanting to gain an uncomplicated perspective on Yoga, its simplicity and sometimes unrealized benefits
As a professional yoga instructor and well-being coach, it is important for me to remain current and to always be increasing and updating my knowledge base; I do this with regular trips to bonafide yoga schools and yoga exponents in India, by attending yoga classes from top modern exponents of yoga, internationally as well as here in NZ, and also by attending many workshops and symposiums via the internet.
Instructors
More instructors coming soon