Hatha Yoga

Hatha Yoga: A Comprehensive Guide is a must-read if you want to get the most from your yoga practice.

Starting from the traditional approach to yoga, you will discover how each yoga pose affects the inner body and how systematic yoga practice can increase your overall health and well-being. You will also learn the ancient principles of sequencing asanas according to their corresponding chakras (energy centers).

Renowned yoga teacher trainers Ram Jain and Michèle Hauswirth describe how to create safe, fulfilling, and holistic Hatha Yoga practices for different levels of ability and goals. They provide visual and practical descriptions of over 200 asanas, with detailed instructions, alignment cues, contraindications, and suggested modifications based on the experience level of the practitioner. The sample sequences of varying lengths will help you reap the benefits of Hatha Yoga and elevate your yoga experience to a whole new level.

Audience

Yoga practitioners and instructors; reference for fitness enthusiasts and personal trainers.

Part I. The Roots: Background of Hatha Yoga

Chapter 1. The Broad View – Yogic Philosophy
Chapter 2. Hatha Yoga and the Principle of Least Action
Chapter 3. The Evolution of Yoga Asanas

Part II. Medical Facts: Hatha Yoga for Holistic Health

Chapter 4. Hatha Yoga and Your Body’s Systems
Chapter 5. Hatha Yoga and Internal Organs & Glands
Chapter 6. Hatha Yoga and the Seven Chakras

Part III. Practicing Effectively: Guidelines for a Holistic Hatha Yoga Practice

Chapter 7. The Importance of Preparation
Chapter 8. The Five Fundamental Building Blocks
Part IV. The Basic Structure: The Foundation for Hatha Sequencing

Chapter 9. Following the Natural Order
Chapter 10. Chakra-Wise: The 17 Primary Asanas
Overview I: The Basic Sequence

Part V. Mastering Sequencing: Creating Customized Sequences

Overview II: General Structure

Chapter 11. Warming-Up Variations Chapter 12. Variations for the Crown & Third-Eye Chakras Chapter 13. Variations for the Throat Chakra Chapter 15. Variations for the Solar Plexus Chakra Chapter 17. Variations for the Root Chakra
Asana Index

Ram Jain, PhD, is founding director of the Arhanta Yoga Ashrams (India and the Netherlands). Since 2009, the Arhanta Yoga Ashrams have become renowned internationally for their professional yoga teacher training courses and have trained thousands of yoga teachers from all over the world.

Born in New Delhi, India, in a traditional and spiritual family, his yoga and Vedic philosophy education started at the age of eight years as a part of his primary school education. He has in-depth knowledge of classical Hatha Yoga and is also well versed in ancient Indian scriptures. Since the start of his teaching career in 1998, he has worked with many different anatomy and physiology experts and has developed unique teaching, adjustment, and modification techniques.

Presently, he is the lead teacher for various teacher training programs, ranging from Hatha Yoga, Yin Yoga, and Vinyasa Yoga to meditation and Yoga Nidra. He teaches for several months a year in India and the rest of the year in the Netherlands.

Michèle Hauswirth was born and raised in Switzerland. Since early adolescence she has been fascinated by art, bodywork, the body–mind connection, and alternative therapies. Following her strong inclination for art and physical expression, she emigrated to the Netherlands at the age of 19 to study modern dance. Soon after, she was exposed to the teachings and practice of yoga and was immediately mesmerized. Hauswirth has been teaching yoga since 2007 and training yoga teachers since 2011 at the Arhanta Yoga Ashrams in India and the Netherlands.

Starting off with physical challenges, she transformed her body, mastering many advanced asanas with her regular practice and discipline. By following a diligent self-practice, working with many different teachers, styles, and techniques, she gained a profound understanding of physiology and movement techniques. This, in combination with her extensive teaching experience, gave her an understanding of the importance of structure and sequencing for a holistic yoga asana practice.

“Ram and Michèle have compiled a wonderful and comprehensive presentation honoring ancient principles of classical yoga while also speaking in a language appropriate to the present day. Ram’s expertise comes from years of being steeped in the original culture of yoga as a way of life and philosophy far transcending a simple form of stretching and exercise. This book is a welcome tool for anyone interested in pursuing a deeper understanding of practicing or teaching yoga in its classical form.”
—David Swenson, Author of Ashtanga Yoga: The Practice Manual

“As a yoga instructor and editorial director of YouAligned.com, a leading yoga publication, this is one of the most comprehensive guides to yoga and sequencing that I’ve seen. It breaks down the practice, the science behind it, the chakra system, and the asanas in a way that’s incredibly in-depth yet completely approachable. A valuable resource for any yogi, Hatha Yoga should be a requirement in all yoga teacher trainings.”
—Ashton August, Founder and Editorial Director of YouAligned.com

“This must be the most complete overview of Hatha Yoga that I have ever read. It’s about the meaning, the history, the physiology, and the practice of Hatha Yoga—all written very clearly and comprehensively. It’s a real asset for our bookshelf!”
—Heleen Peverelli, Editor in Chief of Yoga Magazine Netherlands

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Tree pose – asana for the root chakra