Description

Hatha Yoga, which literally means “union through discipline of force”, is a school of Yoga that stresses mastery of the body as a way of attaining a state of spiritual perfection in which the mind is withdrawn from external objects. Hatha Yoga has grown in popularity in the West as a form of exercise that develops strength, flexibility, bodily relaxation, and mental concentration.

A yoga class described as ‘Hatha’ will typically involve a set of physical postures and breathing techniques, practised more slowly and with more static posture holds than perhaps a Vinyasa flow or Ashtanga class. Hatha yoga can be considered as anything you might do with the body, including:

• Asana – yoga postures (practised in any style of ‘yoga’)
• Pranayama – breathing techniques
• Mantra – chanting or reciting
• Mudra – hand gestures