So what is Hatha Yoga?

Well the answer is not really that clear and very much depends on what text you read. For a start it’s pronounced ha-ta, and means force in the origianl sense. Other forms of yoga such as ashtanga, dru, rocket, forrest etc are all more modern day versions of hatha yoga developed during the 20th century. Don’t get too fixated on the ‘style’ of yoga, they all have the same poses but can be stringed together in a different sequence and practised at a different speed, that is all.

The word vinyasa simply means to put things in a sequence. Hatha doesn’t have a fixed sequence although surya namaska (sun salutation) sequences may form part of the class. Hatha is also said to be practised at a slower speed, which isn’t exactly true in my opinion, it’s more that some modern versions of yoga have been sped up to fit with the ‘exercise’ culture of the west. And exercise yoga is not.

There are many commentaries on hatha yoga, which can be traced back to the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, which was likely written somewhere between the 14th and 15th centuries and states the four methods of hatha that are asana (poses), kumbhaka (breath retention), mudra (hand gestures) and nada (internal sounds) these being identified as the tools to achieve yoga (union). There are only around 85 asanas in this text, and a lot of those are seated poses for meditation.This was the first step-by-step guide to hatha yoga and is a great read if you get the chance to read it!

However, the earliest archaeological evidence of yoga is from 3000 BC found as stone seals that depict figures of yoga postures. During the vedic period of 1500 BC renunciates shed their daily responsibilities, lived in the woods and dedicated their lives to the spiritual practice of yoga. These were always men (ascetics) and it was aimed at controlling the bindi (semen). There were few asana poses and the emphasis was around bodily mortification such as meditating with your arm in the air for years at a time.

Thankfully in the 14th century, to make hatha yoga more accessible to the masses the YogaBija was written. This is where the modern day take on ‘ha’ meaning sun and ‘ta’ meaning moon comes from which superseded the meaning as force. So ultimately, hatha yoga is simply the earliest recorded form of yoga with a focus on asana, kumbhaka, mudra etc.

So to summaries, Hatha yoga is simply the classic form of yoga from which all other styles of yoga followed. There isn’t a set sequence of asanas, although surya namaska A,B and C, may feature heavily, but absolutely do not have to.

The main take away is that yoga is not exercise, it a philosophy and lifestyle aimed to bring union of mind, body and breath, cultivating space in and and around you leading to balance and peace. And you don’t need to sit in nothing but a loin cloth on top of a hill for hours on end to reach this goal. Incorporating snippets into your daily life may be enough to benefit from the positive changes practising yoga can bring.

I hope you’ve found this helpful? Let me know below.

Rachel xx

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