Hatha or Vinyasa Yoga: Which One is the Right Choice for You?

According to research, Hatha and vinyasa yoga have gained popularity over the years as the most practised natural yoga worldwide. Although some similar poses are performed, they each hold major differences which change their uniqueness. They were originally started in India in the fifteenth century, and today most people practice yoga in different parts of the world.

We all should know that everyone doesn't have the same votes. Not all yogis have the same preference, and some might prefer Hatha and others Vinyasa yoga. It all varies according to what you prefer and which meets your fitness level and goals. Below, we'll discuss the difference between the two yoga practices. After having finished, you'll conclude on the one you prefer.

 

Picking between Hatha Yoga & Vinyasa Yoga

By now, you should be wondering which yoga is the best between Vinyasa and Hatha. Note that both are unique in their ways, and each yoga's impact on one's life is great. Below is detailed information about Hatha and Vinyasa. Any yogi would like to know, also check out the eco-friendly yoga mat on our website.

 

Hatha Yoga

"Hatha in the Sanskrit language translates to "force". If we break this word, we will get "ha" and "tha". "Ha" means sun, and "tha"  means moon. It aims to balance these two energies: the sun and the moon. Hatha, in other words, can be described as an umbrella, for it balances two components by joining together physical movements and breath work. This yoga practice’s main focus is to endure precise movements, breathing techniques, and stretching. 

Yoga poses are to be performed by gently moving parts of your body at a slow pace using the best yoga cork blocks. This challenges your strength's ability and flexibility while helping you relax and clear your mind. Hatha yoga helps to strengthen muscles and help carry on with daily activities. It helps with stress levels as your mind stimulates your breathing. Meditations are also performed within this practice and, therefore, improve a healthy mind. 

 

Vinyasa Yoga

It's similar to hatha yoga because of the same yoga exercises, but paces are done more rapidly, and your breathing is connected to your movements. When changing to other poses, you have to tap into it directly. Vinyasa is known to be the "flow" yoga. "Vi" means a special way", and "Nyasa" means "to place". When you put these two together, it equals "to place especially", which means that we're placing our consciousness into every movement performed.

This is a very active practice and is considered quite easy to adapt. It helps build up your muscles and helps increase fitness and stability. With each breath you inhale and exhale while posing, you send more oxygen into your body which makes your muscles firmer. Blood sugar and high blood pressure levels decrease, as well as cholesterol.

Just to summarise the difference between the two yoga practices, hatha yoga is performed more gently than vinyasa yoga and has moved at a slower pace. Vinyasa connects your breath to your movements, making the yoga postures faster. The hatha yoga focuses on your movements, to be precise, as well as your breathing and stretching.

Browse our range of environmentally friendly yoga mats to get started on your journey for hatha or vinyasa yoga today.