Active Calm

What is Hatha Yoga?

Hatha yoga is an umbrella term for all types of physical yoga. These include Iyengar, Ashtanga, Sivananda and Satyananda.

The word 'Hatha' can be split into 'Ha' and 'Tha' meaning meaning sun and moon. Hatha yoga is therefore a balancing process which aims to take the individual on a path towards well being through physical, mental and spiritual means.

Yoga is a practice for everyone. It can be a practical way to respond to our modern, hectic lifestyles. It can teach you how to deal with stress and approach difficult situations with a different attitude. In fact, with regular practise it can become a complete way of living whereby the practitioner learns to calm mental distractions and live life more in the moment, leading to a peaceful state of mind and sense of freedom.

I am particularly interested in how Yoga can improve training and often incorporate it into programs. I believe that Yoga is complimentary to sport in both a physical and mental sense.

If you are interested in one-to-one Yoga please contact me for further information.

How might yoga help your sport?

• Correction of muscle imbalances: stretching and strengthening of muscles preventing injury.
• Improved postural alignment and biomechanics: joints become better aligned preventing muscle imbalances and strain.
• Improved strength, flexibility and core strength: Physical yoga is about arriving at an ideal combination of strength and flexibility. It challenges upper body and core strength and regular practise will greatly improve flexibility.
• Improved stamina: Many postures condition the body using stamina, strength and toning of muscles. Dynamic yoga is cardiovascular and challenging.
• Better balance.
• Faster recovery: relaxation of muscle tension; improved circulation in connective tissue.
• Improved breathing: awareness and focus on the breath can help with breathing patterns in sport.
• Improved concentration and focus: breath work and concentration exercises can improve focus and confidence in sport.
• Increased body awareness: improved knowledge of how to stretch muscles; hightened intuition with regard to pain and potential injury.