What Is Hridaya Hatha Yoga?

Cultivating Relaxation and Openness Through Yoga Practice

What Is Hridaya Hatha Yoga?
Using the Body to Discover the Self

The word yoga evokes many images, from sages sitting in the lotus position on the banks of the Ganges to stretch pants-clad young people bounding through acrobatic workouts. It can be hard to know what you’re signing up for when you enroll in a yoga class. So, what is Hridaya Hatha Yoga? In short, it’s a way to use the body to discover the Self.

More than Just Physical Postures

At Hridaya, we practice contemplative Hatha Yoga, integrating asanas (physical postures) with Advaita, the non-dual vision. The focus is on slow, gentle movements that engage not only the body but all levels of the being, fostering Self-awareness. While holding each posture, we observe thoughts, emotions, and sensations without reacting, connecting to the Spiritual Heart. Rooted in Tantra Yoga and Kashmir Shaivism, this approach emphasizes relaxation and happiness over effort, making it an ideal foundation for your spiritual journey.

The Natural Yoga of the Heart

Hridaya Hatha Yoga is natural yoga, a free expression of energy, where everything is done straight from the Heart. We don’t try to push energy in certain directions or to achieve specific results. That only further strengthens the mind and the individual will.

Instead, we share meditative attitudes to help you develop an inner sense of freedom. These attitudes imbue your Hatha Yoga practice with a deeper meaning and enhance your ability to focus and express your personality. You become more discerning, balanced, and dynamic.

Yoga—Joy, Relaxation, Celebration, and Surrender

The Spiritual Heart expresses its power of love and happiness in every asana. We do not focus on performing a spectacular or artistic pose, but on awakening and expressing the Heart’s inner happiness. This happiness radiates throughout the body, removing tension, strain, and stress. We avoid practicing in a dry, mechanical way and seek to awaken the joy, love, and clarity generated by the awareness of the present moment.

When you hold an asana without tension or unnecessary muscle contractions, you perceive a “blossoming” of the flow of energies. In this way, the practice reflects a positive, life-affirming attitude. It allows you to open your heart and celebrate life. The asana becomes a mechanism for transformation and healing, a process for revealing your higher Self, not just an energizing and healthy exercise.

You begin to experience yoga as a spiritual art, understanding that the revelations that arise don’t derive from personal effort alone, but from the capacity to surrender personal limitations.

If you are inspired to do a class at home, try out the free Hridaya Hatha Yoga App, where you can explore practices on specific themes or create personalized sessions. Download it on the App Store or Google Play.

The Role of the Body and Emotions

We see the physical body as a divine instrument designed to enable us to experience the ecstasy of recognizing and glorifying the Infinite One, advaita, in multiplicity, samsara.

The body is a majestic manifestation of the spirit, not just a mass of dense matter. Similarly, thoughts, desires, passions, and emotions are not obstacles to spiritual awakening to be repressed or eliminated. Instead, they are tools for expanding individual consciousness and even transcending it.

The physical body and subtle energies represent divine gifts that can help you discover true freedom. What is Hridaya Hatha Yoga? It is a practice that develops and refines all aspects of the being: the body, mind, emotions, intuition, and most fundamental virtues.

The Seven Steps of the Hridaya Hatha Yoga Practice

The Witnessing Attitude. Come into the present moment, observing any thoughts, feelings, or emotions with non-reactivity.
Relaxation. Enter the asana slowly, gradually, and with awareness. Keep the body relaxed and feel the joy of stretching. Enter the posture with the same naturalness and spontaneity that a cat has when stretching its body.
Immobility. Once you are in the posture, try to stay as still as possible. This induces the stillness of the mind.
Open Attention. Be aware of the background of Stillness as you notice any physical or subtle sensations, impressions, energy streams, or chakra activations that arise. Cultivate a state of observation full of love, free from analyzing, labeling, or conceptualizing.
Chakra Activation. Acknowledge the specific energy or energies awakening in you.
Universal Energy. Become aware of the universal quality of the perceived energy. It is no longer “my energy,” but universal. This does not mean that a universal energy replaces a personal energy. It is just another perspective on the same phenomenon.
Surrender. Ask “Who am I?” and surrender the ego’s consciousness to the Spiritual Heart. In this way, the practice of an asana becomes a meditation in itself. You become aware of the infinite and non-dual nature of your being.

Download the free Hridaya Hatha Yoga practice app on the App Store or Google Play.

ARE YOU READY FOR A TRANSFORMATIVE YOGA RETREAT?

Immerse yourself in long, meditative Hatha Yoga classes, inspiring lectures, and a supportive community of practitioners. Discover the depths of your being as you progress through our eight yoga modules.

Module 1

Awaken Chakras and the Subtle Bodies, Expand Awareness

Module 2

Pranayama, Concentration, and the World of Mantras

Module 3

Discover Energy Locks, Awaken Inner Fire, Sharpen the Mind

Module 4

Harness Bandhas, Explore Phosphenes, and Vowel Pranayama

Module 5

Unlock Kundalini Energy Through Pranayama and Mudras

Module 6

Kundalini Mantra Initiation, Sahajoli Mudras, Advanced Pranayamas

Module 7

Kundalini Esoterics, Merging Energy and Awareness, Amaroli Mudras

Module 8

Master Kundalini Mudras, Awaken to Spiritual Immortality

Just Beginning Your Hridaya Hatha Yoga Journey?

Hridaya Yoga Retreat: Module 1 Intensive

Discover Authentic Yoga

Immerse yourself in Module 1 for three weeks, or join for a week at a time.

Don’t Have Time for the Full Module? Join Us for a Week

Module 1 Week 1

Features classes that include longer lectures and are a slow, gentle start to the course
Focuses on introducing fundamental yogic concepts and the basics of the Hridaya Yoga practice
Shares beginning purification techniques
Presents the study of yogic ethics

Module 1 Week 2

Features classes that include more time for Hatha Yoga practice and tips for experiencing yoga postures as meditation
Offers yogic dietary recommendations
Continues the study of yogic ethics

Module 1 Week 3

Features meditative Hatha Yoga classes in which we hold postures for extended periods
Focuses on sublimation techniques, powerful practices for raising energy
Completes the discussion of yogic ethics and shares ideas for integrating daily life into spirituality

Rest, Reconnect, Renew
Yoga Retreat

Give yourself time to slow down and nourish your mind, body, and soul.

Nurture a sense of renewed energy, emotional balance, and deeper harmony in your entire being.

Discovery Weekends

Experience Hridaya Yoga

Dive into the Hridaya teachings at this weekend yoga and meditation retreat. Perfect for beginners and seasoned practitioners, it provides a solid foundation for your practice. Join us and experience the beauty of transformation in a welcoming spiritual community.

Hatha Yoga Drop-in Classes

Fall in Love with Hridaya
Hatha Yoga

At Hridaya, we embrace a contemplative approach to Hatha Yoga. We perform each posture slowly and gently, with awareness of the eternal unity of the body, mind, and Spiritual Heart. This allows you to observe thoughts, emotions, and sensations without reacting, helping you engage deeply with your True Self.

Our drop-in classes, suitable for all levels, are offered in French at our center in France, English and Spanish at our center in Mexico, and Romanian in Romania (English, German, and Hungarian upon request).

Schedule

Drop-ins are offered in three terms per year, from February to mid-April, mid-April to late June, and mid-September to mid-December. Classes are held in French every Tuesday from 19:00 to 20:30 and are open to all levels. The fee for the full term is €72. Register for the current term here.

Practicalities

Hridaya Yoga France is a non-profit organization made up of its members. Payment of an annual membership fee of €10 is required to participate in drop-in classes. You are welcome to participate in one class before deciding if you want to become a member.
Our drop-in classes are suitable for all levels—we warmly welcome beginners!
Please arrive at least ten minutes early to check in at the Welcome Desk or with the teacher and to set up your space.
We provide a yoga mat and meditation cushion, or you can bring your own.
Comfortable clothing recommended—think t-shirts, tank tops, yoga pants, loose pants, leggings, or shorts. You may wish to wear a long-sleeve shirt or sweatshirt for the beginning of the class as you warm up or during the final relaxation.

Fall in Love with Hridaya
Hatha Yoga

Schedule

November 17–December 8, our drop-in class schedule is as follows:

English: Mondays and Fridays from 8:30-10:30 am
Spanish: Wednesdays from 8:30-10:30 am

Practicalities

Our drop-in classes are suitable for all levels—we warmly welcome beginners!
Classes are offered on a sliding scale from $50–$150 MXN. Please choose the pricing level that best matches your possibilities.
Please arrive at least ten minutes early to check in and to set up your space. Before the drop-in, you are invited to join us for a 1-hour Hridaya Meditation starting at 7:00 am.
We provide a yoga mat and meditation cushion, or you can bring your own.
Comfortable clothing recommended—think t-shirts, tank tops, yoga pants, loose pants, leggings, or shorts.
If you have any medical concerns or physical limitations, please speak with the teacher before class.
The drop-in class is followed by breakfast at 10:45 am, which you are also welcome to join. Breakfast may be booked upon arrival.

Fall in Love with Hridaya
Hatha Yoga

Schedule

We offer drop-in sessions in two locations: Brașov and Bucharest.

Classes in Brașov (54 Avram Iancu Street) are presented in Romanian (English, German, and Hungarian upon request) on Tuesdays from 6:00-8:00 pm, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 6:30-8:30 pm, and Saturdays from 9:30 am-12:00 pm.

Classes in Bucharest (123 Eminescu Street) are led in Romanian (English upon request) on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 6:30-8:30 pm and on Wednesdays from 11:00 am-1:00 pm.

Practicalities

Classes are offered on a sliding scale from 50–200 RON. Please choose the pricing level that best matches your possibilities.
Our classes are suitable for all levels—we warmly welcome beginners!
Please arrive at least ten minutes early to check in and to set up your space.
We provide a yoga mat, or you can bring your own.
Comfortable clothing is recommended—think t-shirts, tank tops, yoga pants, loose-fitting pants, and leggings. You can go barefoot or wear socks.
If you have any medical concerns or physical limitations, please speak with the teacher before class.

Online Hatha Yoga

Coming Soon!

Explore Yoga’s Many Branches

Bhakti Yoga/Bhajans

Devotion through the Practice of Chanting Mantras

Through Bhakti Yoga, we embrace Universal Love and, by surrendering fully, discover that it is our True Nature.

Tantra Yoga

The Yoga of Integrating Consciousness and Energy

Tantra aims to dissolve the boundaries between the sacred and the profane, allowing us to uncover our True Essence.

Karma Yoga

Embrace the Joy of Acting from the Heart

Serving in the spirit of Karma Yoga offers a profound opportunity to deepen your spiritual practice while fully immersing yourself in the Hridaya Community.