04/28/2020
You’re a beginner to yoga and keep hearing the word “hatha.” As you experiment with different styles of yoga, it’s helpful to know that most Western yoga derives from Hatha, one of the six major branches of yoga. Hatha emphasizes poses (asanas), breath control (pranayama) and relaxation to cleanse and strengthen the mind, body and spirit. Hatha yoga was introduced by Yogi Swatmarama, a yogic sage of the 15th century in India. The word “hatha” comes from the Sanskrit terms ha meaning sun and tha meaning moon. The dual nature of the sun and the moon reflects the duality of the Hatha yoga practice, which incorporates holding specific poses, also known as asanas or postures, stillness of the body and a focus on the breath, also known as pranayama or subtle energy control. All work together to balance and purify the body and the mind. Hatha yoga helps practitioners to recognize their hidden physical and mental potentials. Pranayama is incorporated to open energy channels and improve oxygenation of the body, which can help with stress, anxiety and depression, while the asanas strengthen the body and improve flexibility, which can translate to tension relief
for many.