Ashtanga Yoga vs. Hatha Yoga – The Difference Between

How Ashtanga Yoga and Hatha Yoga are different The main difference between Ashtanga Toga and Hatha Yoga are…

How Ashtanga Yoga and Hatha Yoga are different

The main difference between Ashtanga Toga and Hatha Yoga are the elements on which they focus. Ashtanga Yoga is more concerned with balancing breathing and posture. Hatha Yoga is more concerned with meditation and increasing the body’s physical strength.

There are many cultural influences in Yoga, especially from Hinduism and Buddhism. Many of those who are of Indian descent make yoga a regular part of their day. In this practice, the mind, body and soul are perceived as being aligned with each other. Meditation and control over the breathing is fundamental because it helps to tune out the disruptions that occur in the environment around where a person is practicing. There are different types of yoga and each one is designed to increase the strength of one particular part of the body. Ashtanga and Hatha are two of these types.

About Ashtanga Yoga

The important part of Ashtanga Yoga is the time one spends holding a particular posture. Controlled breathing is of special significance in this type of Yoga because you do need proper breathing in order to maintain a posture position for a few seconds or longer. Holding a posture helps to generate heat within the body and this improves blood circulation throughout the body. Thus Ashtanga Yoga increases the flexibility of the body and strengthens the muscles and tendons.

About Hatha Yoga

Hatha Yoga dates back to 15th century Hinduism and is the form of Yoga that is widely practiced today. Meditation and breathing are the most important elements in Hatha because in order to become more attuned to your mind and body you need to block out the sounds of everyday life that is going on around you. The postures that are part of this form will also strengthen the body. A person practicing Hatha Yoga becomes relaxed physically and mentally and this brings about the perfect balance between the body and the mind. The improved balance also strengthens one’s physical health.

The difference between Ashtanga Yoga and Hatha Yoga

Ashtanga Yoga focuses on establishing a balance between breathing and physical posture. Hatha Yoga focuses on establishing a balance between meditation and physical posture.

Ashtanga Yoga is more intense because it involves a series of steps in which you constantly change your posture and maintain your regular breathing at the same time. This is very difficult because in order to change posture you tend to breathe heavily. Heavy breathing also increases the heart rate and the circulation of blood throughout the body. This is why it is important to maintain control over your breathing.

Hatha Yoga follows a slow pace and because of this it is easier to control your breathing. You can also keep your heart rate consistent. However, in order to maintain the positions of Hatha Yoga you have to develop a good sense of meditation and you need to focus less on your physical body and the sounds around you.

Summary

There are many other forms of yoga other than Ashtanga and Hatha, such as power yoga and lyenger yoga. However, Ashtanga and Hatha are the two most popular forms. Even though they are different, they do produce similar results. Before choosing one style of Yoga over the other when you are a beginner, try out several forms and decide which one would be better for you.

 

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