Hatha Yoga
Hatha Yoga,also called Hatha Vidya,is a system of Yoga that introduced by Yogi Swatmarama, a sage of 15th century India, and compiler of the Hatha Yoga Pradipika. In this treatise Swatmarama introduces Hatha Yoga as preparatory stage of physical purification that the body fit for the practice for higher meditation. The Asanas and Pranayama in Raja Yoga were what the Hindu Yogis used to physically train their body for long periods of meditation. This practice is called shatkarma. The word Hatha is a compound of the words Ha and Tha meaning sun and moon, referring to Praana and Apaana, and also to the principal nadis (energy channels) of the subtle body that must be fully operational to attain a state of dhyana or samādhi. According to the Monier Moneir-Williams Sanskrit Dictionary, the word "hatha" means forceful. It is a strong practice done for purification. In other respects Hatha yoga follows the same principles as the Raaja Yoga of Patanjali including moral restraint yama and spiritual observances niyama. Hatha Yoga is what most people in the West associate with the word "Yoga" and is practised for mental and physical health throughout the West.
Health club
A health club is a place which houses exercise equipment for the purpose of physical exercise. There exist specific health clubs that specialize in catering for female exercisers and do not allow any male patrons on the premises. In order to cater for these types of exercisers, many health clubs offer a ladies-only workout area. Health clubs offer a collective and often entertaining and informal form of working out or bodybuilding beyond the structure of the classic gym.
Facilities & Services
Most health clubs have a main workout area, which primarily consists of free weights like dumbbells and barbells and exercise machines. This area often includes mirrors so that exercisers can check and maintain correct posture during their workout.
Levels of Services and Offerings
Health clubs offer a wide
array of services, and as a result the monthly membership
prices can vary greatly. A recent study found that the
monthly cost of membership ranged from $15 per month at
basic chain clubs that offer limited amenities to over $200
per month at spa-oriented clubs that cater to families and
those seeking social activities in addition to a workout. In
addition, some clubs such as many local YMCAs offer per-use
punchcards or one-time fees for those seeking to use the
club on an as-needed basis.
Costs can be altered through the purchase of a higher-level
membership, such as a Founders or a Life membership. Such
memberships often have a high up-front cost but a lower
monthly rate. Bally's, Lifetime Fitness, and other large
chains offer these memberships, but the tend to work out
financial for those who use the club frequently and hold the
membership for years.
