On yoga class timetables, Hatha yoga is often used to describe a classical, more meditative  style of yoga based around holding yoga postures, or asanas, and focusing on the breath, or pranayama. However all physical yoga styles as we know them today, such as Iyengar, Ashtanga, and Vinyasa flow, come under the umbrella of hatha yoga.

The origins of yoga as a philosophy date back to the Indus Valley around 5,000 years ago when the practice of yoga was synonymous with meditation. The yoga scholar and author of the classical text the Yoga Sutras, Patanjali, defines yoga as Samadhi, the blissful, enlightened state reached through a dedicated practice of meditation. The literal translation of the Sanskrit root of yoga, ‘yuj’ is to yoke or unite and today yoga is often said to mean ‘union’: union of our essential self with our true nature – ultimate consciousness. It can also mean the realisation of our true nature through the elimination of everything we identify with that is false.

‘Hatha yoga’, the physical practice of asanas and pranayama (physical postures and breath) as we know it today, started to emerge between the 9^th and 12^th centuries. The word hatha is often translated as the union between the Sanskrit ‘Ha’, meaning sun (male, hot, active) and ‘Tha’, moon (female, cool, passive), symbolism for uniting opposites and creating harmony. However a more accurate linguistic interpretation of hatha means ‘forceful’ or ‘energetic’ and refers to how the practice helps us to harness life-force, or vital energy also known as prana.

The idea behind the hatha yoga system was to reach the same goal of enlightenment, but by using the body and breath. ‘Asana’ means seated posture and they were originally designed to help the body develop the strength and flexibility to sit for pranayama, breathing exercises. By focusing on and controlling the breath you could still the mind and develop a greater sense of clarity for meditation, the path to enlightenment.

Over the centuries the number of asanas has increased from the 16 listed in the Hatha Yoga Pradipika to around 900 practised by yogis today and the practice of yoga is often described as a moving meditation.

Sthira-sukham-āsanam – ‘The posture should be steady and comfortable’ (The Yoga Sutras, 2.46, Patanjali). When the physical posture is steady, so is the mind.

**Now expired – sorry!** Until the end of October, three class pass for £10.

Autumn is the perfect time to start, or step up a yoga practice. The changing seasons and colder weather can lead to dropping energy levels and place more stress on the immune system.

In yoga’s sister science Ayurveda, (Indian traditional medicine), Autumn is dry and brittle, a time of air, space and change. When in balance, it can be a positive time of transformation, but out of balance it can lead to feelings of anxiety and instability leaving you feeling ungrounded or unable to focus properly.

By practising postures to help warm and ground the body and focus the mind, yoga can help you embrace the transition physically and mentally.

So come along and try a special three class pass this Autumn.

Non transferable. One per person. Valid for classes at Falmouth Sports Club and ZedShed. First class needs to be purchased before 31 October 2012.

Excludes pregnancy classes – sorry!

I’m really excited to be starting some new classes at the Falmouth Sports Club (Saturdays, 9:00 to 10:30am) and ZedShed in Penryn (Sundays, 4:30 – 6:00pm) from this weekend (13th / 14th October).

Both classes will be suitable for all levels. Beginners are welcome and if you are more advanced then you will have the option of more challenging variations if you want them.

Never done yoga before? Why not come along and try out a class.

On Saturdays I will be taking you through the Sun Salutation warm up series, a sequence of clearly described and demonstrated postures to help you stretch, build strength, twist out toxins and focus the mind through the breath. What better way to energise and start your weekend off to a positive start?

The Sunday class will be similar, but with more focus on Yin, or relaxing poses, perfect for a Sunday evening and to calm the mind and rebalance the body before a new week.

No need to book.

Pregnancy yoga at the Core, Falmouth, Wednesdays 10:30am

A hatha yoga class for mums to be from their second trimester onwards. The specially designed class focuses on breath awareness, gentle exercises to strengthen the body, increase energy and reduce anxiety.

The Core, 2nd Floor, Post Office Buildings,The Moor, Falmouth, TR11 3QA