Hatha & Restorative Yoga

I. Hatha Yoga: The Union of Mind and Body

Hatha yoga removes physical tension, establishes mental balance, and powerfully clarifies awareness. Yoga posture or asana balances muscular energy in the physical body. Breath guidance (pranayama) goes further, using respiration patterns to balance the conflicting thoughts generated by the mind. Even greater benefits lie in the process of complete relaxation, known in the ancient texts as ‘turning attention inwards’ (pratyahara).

II. Restorative Yoga: The Science and Art of Complete Relaxation


Restorative yoga uses multiple postural techniques to activate the ‘parasympathetic’ or relaxation-oriented part of your nervous system. It creates an automatic relaxation response by removing gravity, tension and sense-perception in specific ways. Add to this simple but effective breath patterns that help respiration become regular and smooth, and Restorative Yoga generates calm, focused alpha rhythms in the brain.

III. Hatha Yoga Symbolism: Expand the Horizons of Experience

Yoga Sciences Institute’s program in Hatha Yoga Symbolism reveals the webs of meaning that lie just beneath the surface of yoga’s most basic practices and ideas. Each of the Eight Limbs of the program infuses yoga practice with rich layers of meaning drawn from the ancient tradition designed to enhance your awareness in the here-and-now.

I. Asana Practice and the Microcosm: “Unroll the mat, create the world”

II. Prāṇāyāma and the Serpent in Yoga Symbolism: “From Kuṇḍalinī to Ananta (Infinity)”

III.  Pratyāhāra and Corpse Symbolism: “Deep Relaxation in Yoga Practice ”

IV.  Dhyāna and the Lotus in Yoga Symbolism: “Be more like a plant!”

V.  Samādhi and the Fractal in Yoga Symbolism: “Holograms as Pictures of Concentration”

VI.  Mudrā and the Seal in Yoga Symbolism: “Where Meditation meets Physics”

VII.  OM: Master Key to Yoga Symbolism: “Where the beginning is the end…”