What type of yoga do I teach? And other questions answered...

It’s a question that often gets asked, and for me, there is only one answer.  I teach hatha yoga as hatha is the path of yoga that teaches the movement of the body to find yoga.  In its truest form, all yoga practices that use the body are hatha yoga.  The differences in pace, style and movement offer different ways of moving the body to find connection between the body and the mind, to prepare the body for meditation and contemplation.

Hatha yoga, a centuries-old discipline rooted in ancient Indian philosophy, stands as one of the most widely practiced and accessible forms of yoga across the globe.

The word “hatha” itself carries profound meaning: “ha” representing the sun and “tha” the moon, signifying the union of opposing forces and the quest for equilibrium. In the tapestry of yoga’s rich traditions, hatha yoga emerges as the foundation for physical, mental, and energetic harmony—a gateway to inner peace and well-being.

To appreciate hatha yoga fully, it is essential to explore its origins. The tradition first crystallized in India between the 9th and 15th centuries, synthesizing earlier yogic practices with the philosophical insights of tantra and the teachings of the legendary yogi Goraksha. Classic texts such as the “Hatha Yoga Pradipika,” the “Gheranda Samhita,” and the “Shiva Samhita” form the canonical scriptures of hatha yoga, outlining its postures (asanas), breathwork (pranayama), and purification techniques (shatkarma).

Hatha yoga was conceived as a preparatory path to higher meditation. Early practitioners viewed the physical body as a temple to be purified and strengthened, setting the stage for deeper spiritual realization. As hatha yoga evolved, it incorporated a holistic approach, weaving together the threads of movement, breath, and awareness.

What are the yoga sutras?

In four chapters and one hundred and ninety six aphorisms, Patanjali sets out a practical guide for the spiritual aspirant to reach enlightenment and progress to total liberation from the suffering in the mind and physical world.  It is a systematic and succinct text offering different approaches for different level of aspirants to reach their goal.  What Patanjali said in 196 sutras has been the subject of much lengthier debates and interpretations, and the essence and simplicity of the original sutras has been transformed and interpreted based on the opinions and stance of the interpreter.  Essentially it is the classical text on Raja and Nirodha yoga, Patanjali’s main subject matter is the brain and how when the activities of the brain are suspended it begins to trace it source, which is the overriding life force that exists in the universe.

Chapter 1, Samadhi Pada is aimed towards those students who have already taken steps on the spiritual path.  The first four sutras introduce the themes for the following 192, 1.2 offers Patanjali’s definition of yoga ‘Yoga is settling of the mind into silence’.  This simple definition is the most succinct explanation of what yoga is.  The following sutras offer advice on how to confront the obstacles in the way and practical guidance on how to achieve the settled mind.

“yogas citta-vrtti-nirodhah”

What is the wheel of yoga?

Chapter 2, verse is an important sutra and outlines Patanjali’s system of astanga yoga, which is still used as the traditional definition of yoga today, although asana has taken over as probably the most well known yogic element. 

‘There are eight limbs of yoga: yama – the laws of life, niyama – the rules of living, asana – the physical postures, pranayama – the breathing exercises, pratyahara – the retirement of the senses, dharana – steadiness of the mind, dhyana – meditation, Samadhi – the settled mind.’

The yoga sutras explain the path or raja yoga or royal yoga – meditation.  The practice of yoga begins off the mat with the yamas, attitudes towards the outside world.  The niyamas focus more on the attitudes towards yourself.  Asana is the physical postures, which Hatha yoga places at the centre of the practice, using the awareness of the body and movement to clear the path for raja yoga.  The limb of pranayama uses the breath to regulate the flow of prana and the activities of the mind. Pratyahara happens when the senses are drawn inwards, away from the outside world and everyday activities.  The final three limbs are different stats of awareness or concentration on the path towards a settled mind.

What is the difference between raja yoga and hatha yoga?

Raja Yoga, also known as "royal yoga," is primarily focused on meditation and the mind.  The term asana in the sutras refers only to a comfortable seated position.  Hatha Yoga, on the other hand, places a central emphasis on physical postures (asanas). It is a holistic approach that integrates movement, breath, and awareness to prepare the body for meditation and contemplation. Hatha Yoga aims to purify and strengthen the body, setting the stage for deeper spiritual realization, and the path of Raja Yoga.

How do I start practicing yoga?

Often, I hear things like, ‘I’ve done yoga before, but I am not very good’ or ‘I can’t do yoga because I am not flexible’ when these are examples of how the mind can create obstacles!  The essence of a yoga practice begins and ends with the same thing- awareness on the present moment.  It is important that in any class you pay attention to how your body is and work within your own limits.  As the sutras target different types of students, in classes, there are people on all different stages of their yoga journey, making it more important to adapt the practice and postures to suit your body.

Yoga is often referred to as a "practice" because it is a continuous journey of self-improvement and self-discovery. The term "practice" emphasizes that yoga is ongoing, with always room for growth, learning, and refinement. Yoga is not something that can be mastered in a single session or even over a short period. It requires consistent effort and dedication to deepen one's understanding and proficiency. No excuses, begin or begin again today, with your own yoga practice.  All you need is some space and a mat to start!