Evening Hatha

Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self, to the self -The Bhagavad Gita.

The origin story of Hatha Yoga is plenty fold. However, if we are to break the root of the term itself, therein lies some deep context — ‘ha’ meaning the sun energy and side of our bodies, and ‘tha’ meaning the moon energy and side of our bodies. Therefore, Hatha Yoga means to unify and harmonise these two energies and sides, creating a sense of balance — not just in body, but also in mind.

The basis of a Hatha Yoga practice includes a grounding meditation, some breathwork and a set sequence of poses (asana). There is a meditative pace set to the practice; you move with a greater sense of purpose and intention. The static holds are held for a little over a minute or so, ensuring plenty of time between for correct alignment and form, as well as reflection and focus. From standing to seated, forward folds to backbends, twists to balances, a typical class can change the way you feel and move, leading you to feel more agile, strong and energised.

While some classes tend to be more restorative, our Evening Hatha personifies strength, vitality and balance. The regulation of breathing invites a sense of calm, grounding and presence, and the practice of asanas impacts your endurance, helps manage chronic diseases, and supports postural control.

Know that you don’t have to practise every single asana or technique introduced in a class, and you also don’t have to hold poses for as long as the teacher says. It’s more than OK to break poses early or even opt out completely and simply come into rest in a child’s pose. Listening to how you feel in your mind and body, and honouring them both is part of the practice. Your teacher will deeply respect you for it.

Because Hatha Yoga tends to be a slower form of yoga with a greater emphasis on pose instruction, it is a great gateway for beginners. Those with agility concerns, tight muscles and even older adults who need help improving the range of motion in their joints can join a Hatha Yoga class as well.

The Evening Hatha classes at Revive Holistic Wellness are led by Shabna Cader, and are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays and 6.30pm.