The practice of hatha yoga acquaints us with our bodies in a slow, precise manner that no sport can offer. Diligent pursuit will reward us with a new physical well-being, a clearer mind, and most importantly, an inner calm unknown before. Hatha is an invaluable tool for developing ourselves, one that we can take with us wherever we go, like meditation.
Because it can become more than just an exploration of the physical package, a teacher, especially at the beginning, can give insights that the purely self-taught person may miss. A few classes or a retreat can produce rewards that more than justify the money spent.