Ram Jain, PhD, is founding director of the Arhanta Yoga Ashrams (India and the Netherlands). Since 2009, the Arhanta Yoga Ashrams have become renowned internationally for their professional yoga teacher training courses and have trained thousands of yoga teachers from all over the world.
Born in New Delhi, India, in a traditional and spiritual family, his yoga and Vedic philosophy education started at the age of eight years as a part of his primary school education. He has in-depth knowledge of classical Hatha Yoga and is also well versed in ancient Indian scriptures. Since the start of his teaching career in 1998, he has worked with many different anatomy and physiology experts and has developed unique teaching, adjustment, and modification techniques.
Presently, he is the lead teacher for various teacher training programs, ranging from Hatha Yoga, Yin Yoga, and Vinyasa Yoga to meditation and Yoga Nidra. He teaches for several months a year in India and the rest of the year in the Netherlands.
Michèle Hauswirth was born and raised in Switzerland. Since early adolescence she has been fascinated by art, bodywork, the body–mind connection, and alternative therapies. Following her strong inclination for art and physical expression, she emigrated to the Netherlands at the age of 19 to study modern dance. Soon after, she was exposed to the teachings and practice of yoga and was immediately mesmerized. Hauswirth has been teaching yoga since 2007 and training yoga teachers since 2011 at the Arhanta Yoga Ashrams in India and the Netherlands.
Starting off with physical challenges, she transformed her body, mastering many advanced asanas with her regular practice and discipline. By following a diligent self-practice, working with many different teachers, styles, and techniques, she gained a profound understanding of physiology and movement techniques. This, in combination with her extensive teaching experience, gave her an understanding of the importance of structure and sequencing for a holistic yoga asana practice.
Description
Hatha Yoga: A Comprehensive Guide is a must-read if you want to get the most from your yoga practice.
Starting from the traditional approach to yoga, you will discover how each yoga pose affects the inner body and how systematic yoga practice can increase your overall health and well-being. You will also learn the ancient principles of sequencing asanas according to their corresponding chakras (energy centers).
Renowned yoga teacher trainers Ram Jain and Michèle Hauswirth describe how to create safe, fulfilling, and holistic Hatha Yoga practices for different levels of ability and goals. They provide visual and practical descriptions of over 200 asanas, with detailed instructions, alignment cues, contraindications, and suggested modifications based on the experience level of the practitioner. The sample sequences of varying lengths will help you reap the benefits of Hatha Yoga and elevate your yoga experience to a whole new level.
Part I. The Roots: Background of Hatha Yoga
Chapter 1. The Broad View – Yogic Philosophy
Chapter 2. Hatha Yoga and the Principle of Least Action
Chapter 3. The Evolution of Yoga Asanas
Part II. Medical Facts: Hatha Yoga for Holistic Health
Chapter 4. Hatha Yoga and Your Body’s Systems
Chapter 5. Hatha Yoga and Internal Organs & Glands
Chapter 6. Hatha Yoga and the Seven Chakras
Part III. Practicing Effectively: Guidelines for a Holistic Hatha Yoga Practice
Chapter 7. The Importance of Preparation
Chapter 8. The Five Fundamental Building Blocks
Step 1: Relaxing
Step 2: Conscious Breathing
Step 3: Warming Up Properly
Step 4: True Asana – Finding Steadiness and Ease Within the Pose
Step 5: Proper Sequencing of Asanas
Part IV. The Basic Structure: The Foundation for Hatha Sequencing
Chapter 9. Following the Natural Order
Chapter 10. Chakra-Wise: The 17 Primary Asanas
Asana for the Sahasrara & Ajna Chakras (Crown & Third-Eye Chakras)
Asanas for the Vishuddha Chakra (Throat Chakra)
Asanas for the Anahata Chakra (Heart Chakra)
Asanas for the Manipura Chakra (Solar Plexus Chakra)
Asanas for the Svadhishthana Chakra (Sacral Chakra)
Asanas for the Muladhara Chakra (Root Chakra)
Overview I: The Basic Sequence
Part V. Mastering Sequencing: Creating Customized Sequences
Overview II: General Structure
Chapter 11. Warming-Up Variations
Surya Namaskara Variation
Double Leg Raises Variations
Dolphin Variations
Chapter 12. Variations for the Crown & Third-Eye Chakras
Shirshasana (Headstand) Variations
Chapter 13. Variations for the Throat Chakra
Sarvangasana (Shoulderstand) Variations
Halsana (Plough Pose) Variations
Chapter 14. Variations for the Heart Chakra
Ardha Setu Bandhasana (Half Bridge Pose) Variations
Pawanmuktasana (Air-Releasing Pose) Variations
Matsyasana (Fish Pose) Variations
Sukha Gomukhasana (Easy Cow Face Pose) Variations
Sukha Gomukhasana (Easy Cow Face Pose) Alternatives
Chapter 15. Variations for the Solar Plexus Chakra
Paschimottanasana (Seated Forward Bend) Variations
Purvottanasana (Upward Plank Pose) Variations
Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose) Variations
Shalabhasana (Locust Pose) Variations
Dhanurasana (Bow Pose) Variations
Ardha Matsyendrasana (Half Spinal Twist) Variations
Chapter 16. Variations for the Sacral Chakra
Sukha Kakasana (Easy Crow Pose) Variations
Sukha Kakasana (Easy Crow Pose) Alternatives
Trikonasana (Triangle Pose) Variations
Trikonasana (Triangle Pose) Alternatives
Chapter 17. Variations for the Root Chakra
Vrkshasana (Tree Pose) Variations
Vrkshasana (Tree Pose) Alternatives
Tadasana (Mountain Pose) Variations
Classical Seated Postures
Chapter 18. Sample Sequences
Hip Opening (90 minutes)
Chest and Heart Opening (90 minutes)
Intermediary – Working Toward a Peak Pose (90 minutes)
Basic Sequence (75 minutes)
Basic Sequence (60 minutes)
Basic Short Sequence (30 minutes)
Asana Index