Yoga sequencing is one of the most fundamental parts of this practice that many people tend to ignore or have absolutely no idea exists. In hatha yoga, sequencing is incredibly important and doing it will reap incredible benefits, not only to your physical state, but also your mental and spiritual well-being.
If you’re interested in learning more about this simple yet transformational practice, read on to find out more about hatha yoga sequencing, its importance, how to design a hatha yoga sequence for yourself, and much more.
Before we get into how to create a hatha yoga sequence, what exactly do people mean when they talk about hatha yoga?
To many, hatha yoga simply refers to the yoga asanas or poses many of us are familiar with. It is made up of simple and advanced challenging poses that you can see all over Instagram and other social media platforms. These poses are seen as a tool to help balance the mind, body, and spirit to prepare for a meditation or a calming, peaceful state of being.
While this isn’t necessarily incorrect, it does not truly encompass what hatha yoga actually is. As this practice originated in India, many of its traditional fundamentals and practices have been lost in translation as well as in the westernization of this practice (3).
According to Ekhart Yoga, the true definition of this practice is found in its name. Hatha means Sun and Moon in Sanskrit – Ha (Sun) and Tha (Moon). The classical meaning of hatha yoga is different from the modern interpretation. Today, hatha yoga is seen as a physically challenging practice with the emphasis on precision, alignment, stability, strength, and flexibility(4).
A review that was published in 2021 in the Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine found evidence that these techniques have benefits that include enhancing respiratory functions, improving digestive disorders, managing rhinosinusitis, enhancing cognition, promoting relaxation, activating the sympathetic nervous system, and improving overall metabolism (2).
Hatha yoga can simply be described as a physical yoga practice. In modern times, the emphasis is on a series of poses and breathing techniques that help prepare the body for meditation by clearing the mind from distractions and turning your focus inward.
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Yes, it is incredibly accessible for beginners and a great place to start as beginners learn the how-tos of yoga poses. This practice can be modified for any level, from beginner to advanced yogis who have been practicing consistently for years with the ability to execute the most challenging poses.
Most beginner hatha yoga classes are gentle and slower paced. There’s a focus on holding postures for several breaths, which makes hatha classes still physically and mentally challenging. In addition to the physical practice, you can expect your class to include meditation and a pranayama practice.
According to a well-known classic 15th century Sanskrit manual on Haṭha yoga – The Hatha Yoga Pradipika by Svātmārāma – there are 84 poses or yoga asanas. Of these 84, only 15 are actually described in the text – seven are performed while seated and eight are not seated.
However, it should be noted that later texts that were written after the Hatha Yoga Pradipika describe more poses:
Regardless of how many asanas exist in contemporary yoga, the majority of poses originate from the 15 asanas described in The Hatha Yoga Pradipika by Svātmārāma back in the 15th century.
Hatha yoga sequencing is the art of putting different yoga poses together in a continuous and connected pattern toward an intended result. Most yoga classes you’ve attended were most likely sequenced intentionally. The goal of a yoga sequence can be relaxation, improved focus, mind-body connection, increasing energy levels, or specific areas of the body you want to focus on.
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This is largely dependent on the teacher or individual and the amount of time that is dedicated to the hatha class. Some people say that 20 to 30 poses in a sequence is okay, whereas others advocate just 10 asanas.
We recommend picking a number that goes with your level of experience, in addition to the amount of time you want to dedicate to the practice/class. As a beginner, we advise sticking to the original 15 asanas as they are not as physically challenging and you’ll have less chance of injury.
To create a sequence that works for you, you should consider the following:
Yoga is a practice that has numerous mental and physical benefits, including increased flexibility, increased muscle strength and tone, improved respiration, energy and vitality, maintaining a balanced metabolism, weight reduction, cardio and circulatory health, improved athletic performance, and protection from injury by improving balance, reducing depression and anxiety, and many more benefits (5, 1).
The perfect sequence incorporates asanas, yogic breathing, and meditation techniques that help achieve the goal of your practice.
The goal of a sequence is for poses to flow easily from one to another without disrupting the mental state of the practitioner. A typical yoga sequence has a warm-up, 1-3 rounds of sun salutations, 1-3 rounds of standing poses, a peak pose, and a cool-down. Meditation and Pranayama can be practiced at the beginning or end of your sequence.
For example, you could choose to start with a warm-up, move into your standing poses, then flow into seated ones, and ultimately to asanas that require you to lie down on the floor/mat as you prepare for your final resting pose in Savasana (or Corpse Pose).
This is quite closely tied to your experience with yoga and how things feel in your body. Everyone has a different body type and no one can perform every yoga pose, which is why it is important to listen to your body and what feels good or right for you. You should always focus on how you feel in a pose rather than how you look in order to optimize your personal safety when practicing yoga. As a beginner, there are clearly poses you can’t do and should not attempt without professional instruction and support as they could result in injury.
Seasoned practitioners who have been practicing yoga for longer will have developed more strength, balance, and flexibility, allowing them to move their bodies and limbs into these challenging positions. We recommend incorporating yoga props such as blocks, straps, bolsters, and blankets as they will help you modify postures for your body and level.
While yoga is generally considered to be a gentle exercise or practice, it is still meant to be challenging both physically and mentally. To gain the most from it, choose asanas that are within your level – beginner, intermediate or advanced – that challenge you and make you feel good. A little sweat never hurt anyone.
Read More: Unwind With These Relaxing Yoga Poses While Lying On Your Back
If you are uncertain about how to create your own sequence, here are two simple examples of hatha sequences that you could use at home or in a yoga class:
Option 1 – With this sequence, all the asanas are standing postures:
Hold each position for two to three breaths and make sure your core is engaged throughout.
Option 2 – This sequence starts with standing poses, before flowing into seated, kneeling, and lying down poses:
The main difference between modern and traditional yoga sequencing is the fact that modern hatha yoga sequencing pays more attention to the physical, i.e. poses and posture, while traditional sequencing focuses more on the spiritual aspect of the practice and balancing the Sun and Moon energies in the body.
Morning yoga is an excellent way to get your blood pumping and get yourself even more awake. A simple morning hatha yoga sequence you can do as soon as you step out of your bed is:
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While there isn’t a specific way of practicing yoga, hatha yoga sequencing is a great way of creating balance and peace of mind by flowing through asanas. Doing this will allow you to better connect with your mind, breathing, and inner self.
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