Hatha Yoga (ha=”sun” tha=”moon”) attains the union of mind-body-spirit through a practice of asanas (yoga postures), pranayama (yoga breathing), mudra (body gestures), bandha (energy locks or seals) and shatkarma (internal cleansing). These body-centered practices are used to strengthen and purify the physical body, and cultivate prana (life-force energy) and activate kundalini (dormant spiritual energy). Modern Hatha Yoga does not emphasize most of these esoteric methods and instead focuses primarily on the physical yoga practices.
The Sanskrit word “hatha” can be translated in English two different ways: as “willful” or “forceful,” as the active path of yoga—or as “sun” (ha) and “moon” (tha), as the yoga of balance.
Taken together, hatha yoga can be described as a set of willful and active practices that aim to achieve harmony and balance in the mind, body, and spirit. This approach to yoga is often called “the forceful path” and includes the practice of physical postures and breathing techniques.
Hatha yoga is the generic type of yoga classes taught in the West. Most of the popular types of yoga taught in yoga studios are derived from this style. It is often used to describe a more gentle or beginner friendly style.
In the history of yoga, hatha yoga is a fairly recent technique that was developed from theories and techniques of Tantra Yoga. The tantrics embraced the physical body as the means to achieve enlightenment and developed the physical-spiritual connections and body-centered practices that lead to Hatha Yoga. But Hatha Yoga is uniquely focused on transforming the physical body through purification and the cultivation of the subtle energies of the body.
The ultimate goal of this type of yoga is to direct the vital energy into the central channel and draw it up towards the crown chakra. Most modern classes do not teach the esoteric exercises of breath retention, bandhas and mudras that would channel and raise one’s energy levels high enough to attain enlightenment. And all of the techniques of this form of yoga are seen as preliminary steps to achieving the deeper states of meditation and enlightenment found in the path of raja yoga.
