| There are three interrelated components of Hatha | | | | mediation is simply sitting still and being quiet, but in fact |
| yoga that practitioners use as they practice their yoga | | | | it is much more and relies on properly focusing the |
| exercises: pranayam or the breathing techniques, | | | | mind for a greater awareness of the harmony and |
| asanas or bodily postures and dhyana or meditation. | | | | union of the body and consciousness. You are able to |
| There is a great deal of focus on the first two as they | | | | "quiet" the mind to better focus your energy and |
| are critical in performing the basic exercises and | | | | attention inward. During the very physical components |
| techniques within Hatha yoga; however, meditation | | | | of yoga you can better allow your mind to achieve this |
| should not be overlooked as you incorporate yoga into | | | | focus and strength. |
| your daily exercises. | | | | Consider the postures and breathing techniques during |
| The art of mediation is traditionally used as a way to | | | | yoga as tools to help attain a meditative state. You |
| either relax or focus the mind, to reach a deeper | | | | can focus on your breathing and concentrate on the |
| sense of awareness or consciousness. There are | | | | movement of your breath. You are able to visualize an |
| many different types of mediation and just as many | | | | image and focus your mind and awareness to the |
| ways that people practice meditative techniques. While | | | | center of your body. As your body attains balance |
| performing yoga, it is possible to utilize the postures | | | | and the postures strengthen your focus, your breathing |
| and breathing aspects to focus the mind and practice | | | | is regulated and calmed and your mind can achieve a |
| dhyana. | | | | meditative state where you are focused and aware. |
| While Hatha yoga is a powerful tool to achieving | | | | With practice and repetition you can direct the quality |
| greater strength and flexibility, and the physical aspects | | | | of your thought and promote the powerful and positive |
| are very important, the mental aspects of meditation | | | | aspects of your mind. |
| should not be overlooked. Many people believe that | | | | |