Yoga Style - Hatha Yoga
Richards classes offer an integrated approach to yoga. This means incorporating various yogic techniques into a class, such as asana (postures), pranayama (breathing practices), relaxation techniques and meditation.
Physically, a typical class will focus on building flexibility, strength and balance in the body, using a wide range of classical and contemporary poses. Mentally, there is an emphasis on expanding awareness and refining concentration, resulting in an increased sense of wellbeing and relaxation.
The style of yoga Richard teaches is based on traditional Hatha yoga. Hatha, being a combination of the two sanskrit words 'ha' and 'tha' meaning sun and moon, describes the symbolic balancing of the two opposing qualities at play in every human being. The sun and moon symbolize the masculine and feminine aspects, left and right hemispheres of the brain, sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems etc. With the balancing of these two opposing forces comes increased levels of health, wellbeing, awareness and clarity.
Hatha yoga was originally developed by the yogis of old as a means to prepare the physical body and mind for long hours in deep meditation. The different poses, breathing techniques and various other practices made sure that the body was in an optimal state of health, the energies of the body were flowing correctly and the mind was calm and undisturbed. These conditions made meditation much easier for the yogis.
But you needn't have a goal of attaining deep levels of meditation to practice yoga. The practice of Hatha Yoga is still relevant today because these very same techniques can be used to keep our physical bodies healthy and relaxed, our energy levels up, and our mind calm and focused. This is not a luxury but rather a necessity in this day and age if we are to thrive rather than merely survive.
Physically, a typical class will focus on building flexibility, strength and balance in the body, using a wide range of classical and contemporary poses. Mentally, there is an emphasis on expanding awareness and refining concentration, resulting in an increased sense of wellbeing and relaxation.
The style of yoga Richard teaches is based on traditional Hatha yoga. Hatha, being a combination of the two sanskrit words 'ha' and 'tha' meaning sun and moon, describes the symbolic balancing of the two opposing qualities at play in every human being. The sun and moon symbolize the masculine and feminine aspects, left and right hemispheres of the brain, sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems etc. With the balancing of these two opposing forces comes increased levels of health, wellbeing, awareness and clarity.
Hatha yoga was originally developed by the yogis of old as a means to prepare the physical body and mind for long hours in deep meditation. The different poses, breathing techniques and various other practices made sure that the body was in an optimal state of health, the energies of the body were flowing correctly and the mind was calm and undisturbed. These conditions made meditation much easier for the yogis.
But you needn't have a goal of attaining deep levels of meditation to practice yoga. The practice of Hatha Yoga is still relevant today because these very same techniques can be used to keep our physical bodies healthy and relaxed, our energy levels up, and our mind calm and focused. This is not a luxury but rather a necessity in this day and age if we are to thrive rather than merely survive.