About Hatha Yoga

Hatha yoga has been practiced for over 5000 years. It is an ancient system that when practiced mindfully will encourage you to gain optimum levels of health, balancing both body and mind and helping to fine tune all of your bodies systems.

Originally Hatha yoga was practiced by the ancient sages and rishes (wise men) to enable them to meditate for long periods of time without being distracted emotionally, mentally or physically, so that eventually they could obtain enlightenment or samadhi.

As far as we know yoga was first practiced by the Vedic Civilisation, whose main settlements were on the banks of the Saraswati River in the Indian states of Haryana and Punjab, between 4500BC and 1800 BC. The first written record of yoga dates from 3000BC. It was written by the Sage Putanjali in the ancient Vedic language of Sanskrit. Even today the Sanskrit names for the postures are still commonly used when teaching yoga.

The Sanskrit words Ha and Tha translate to mean Sun and Moon and Yoga translates to mean Union or Joining. Hatha yoga therefore is the yoga of the Sun and the Moon, the yoga of opposites which work to balance body and mind. Hatha yoga includes breathing techniques (or Pranayamas in Sanskrit), postures (Asanas) and relaxation (Nidra).

Hatha yoga is best practiced mindfully, be prepared to move slowly in the postures and really concentrate on perfecting the postures to the best of your ability. Postures should never be forced just relax into them and you will find that your ability will improve naturally. Your yoga class is for you, it is your time to relax and focus on your body, your alignment and posture. If your mind wanders during a class focus on your breath, this will help you to regain your concentration.

Yoga 2 Hear have a growing range of yoga classes suitable for all levels of experience and abilities including a number of specialist classes. All provide an ideal way to learn and practice yoga with expert tuition whenever and wherever you choose.

The Beginners Yoga Class CD’s & MP3 Downloads and Beginners Yoga Flowing Sequence Class CD & MP3 Downloads provide a practical, easy to follow, effective and varied introduction to yoga for those with little or no experience. 

For those with more yoga experience our Improvers Yoga Class & CD’s & MP3 Downloads  and Improvers Flowing Sequence Class CD & MP3 Downloads provide easy to follow and effective classes that use stronger postures. 

Our Prenatal & Postnatal Yoga Class CD's & MP3 Downloads have been devised specifically for expectant and new mothers. Both products offer safe and effective classes created by a Pre and Postnatal yoga expert.

If you would like to use yoga to improve your performance on the slopes then our Yoga for Snow Sports Vol.1 & Vol.2 CD’s & MP3 Downloads are for you. The classeshave been created specifically for Skiers and Snowboarders with and without experience of yoga. The classes will improve your strength, flexibility, co-ordination, balance and mental focus. They will also help to reduce the risk of injury and enhance your precious time on the slopes. 

We have also created the Yoga for the Surf Vol.1 & Vol.2 CD’s & MP3 Downloads these classes are specifically for Surfers, Kite Surfers, Windsurfers, Wakeboarders, Kneeboarders and Waterskiers with and without experience of yoga. The classes pay particular attention to increasing upper body strength and flexibility and will also improve your, balance, coordination and mental focus. 

For those wishing to loose weight without heading to the gym we have created the Yoga 2 Hear 2 in 1 Yoga for Weight Loss CD & MP3 Download class. When used in conjunction with a healthy low fat diet this class will help to reduce levels of body fat as well as tone and shape the body.

We have also produced the Introduction to Core Yoga CD & MP3 Download class that will strengthen and bring your awareness to the deep muscles of the lumbar spine, pelvis and abdominal areas which together form our core muscles. The core muscles respond well to slow controlled movements so yoga is the perfect way to strengthen them.

For those who are returning to exercise after a long break or who have not exercised before we have a Gentle Yoga Class CD & MP3 Download that has been created to allow you to try basic Hatha yoga techniques with minimum physical impact to the body. We have also devised a Yoga on a Chair CD & MP3 Download.  The classis ideal for those with restricted movement and features a number of basic hatha yoga postures that have been adapted to allow them to be performed whilst seated on an appropriate chair. 

Our Pranayamas for Beginners CD & MP3 Downloadhas been devised specifically for those with little or no previous experience of yoga to offer a practical introduction to basic yoga breathing techniques. Once learnt, these techniques can be combined with your regular yoga practice or used on their own to evoke deep relaxation, manage pain, and enhance meditation techniques.  Pranayamas also help to increase oxygen levels in the body and to expand the lungs which can improve lung capacity permanently.

If you feel you need to give your head a holiday, de-stress and relax then our guided yoga Relaxation No.1 CD & MP3 Download has been devised to be followed whilst laying and sitting on your yoga mat. The class teaches basic relaxation techniques that are the perfect tools to help you banish stress and clear your mind.

We have also created the Relaxation on a Chair CD & MP3 Download. This relaxation session, which has been devised to be followed whilst sitting still on a comfortable chair, uses simple rhythmic yogic breathing and relaxation techniques that will de-stress, relax, refresh and recharge your body and mind. Relaxation on a Chair is ideal for use in many, many situations, for example, during or after a tough day at home or at work, in a departure lounge, on an plane, train or bus journey or just sitting around the pool on holiday, the possibilities are endless.

If you are one of those who struggle to get to sleep or who often wakes during the night and just can’t get back to sleep again, we have the answer. Our Relaxations for Sleep Vol.1 CD & MP3 Download consists of two different relaxation sessions that are designed to be followed whilst lying comfortably in bed.  Both sessions use yoga breathing, meditation and muscle relaxation techniques that will clear your mind, release stress and tension from your body and relax you into a really great nights sleep. When you wake the following morning you will feel calm, refreshed, rejuvenated and of course relaxed. As a bonus this class comes with our Relaxation on a Chair CD & MP3 Download session FREE OF CHARGE.