Hatha Yoga is much more than the physical postures that we often associate with yoga today. Traditionally, Hatha Yoga was deeply concerned with the breath, energy and the relationship between the body and mind.

 

In the earlier Hatha Yoga traditions, there were relatively few physical postures. The practices were primarily concerned with preparing and purifying the body and working with the movement of prana – our vital life energy. Over time, a wider range of postures developed, helping to strengthen, cleanse and open the body, creating the conditions for the breath and pranic energy to move more freely.

​

The word Hatha is traditionally associated with the balancing of two complementary forces. Ha represents the sun and Tha the moon. Within the subtle body these qualities are associated with two major energy channels, or nadis:

Pingala – the solar channel, associated with the right side and the right nostril.
Ida – the lunar channel, associated with the left side and the left nostril.

Have you ever wondered why we have two nostrils, rather than simply one?

​

Our breathing naturally alternates in dominance between the nostrils throughout the day. Yogic practices use awareness of the breath, and specific pranayama techniques, to explore and influence this relationship between the two sides.

​

The intention of Hatha Yoga is not simply to become stronger or more flexible. Through asana (posture), pranayama (breath practices), mudra (energetic gestures or seals) and bandha (energetic locks), the practitioner works towards greater balance and steadiness within the body, breath and mind.

​

As the body becomes more stable and spacious and the breath becomes quieter and more refined, we create the conditions for prana to move with greater freedom. In the traditional understanding, balancing Ida and Pingala supports the movement of prana through the central channel, Sushumna Nadi, which is an important aspect of the deeper practices of Hatha Yoga.

​

Today, the term Hatha Yoga is often used quite broadly to describe classes that combine yoga postures and breathing practices, frequently at a slower or steadier pace. However, traditional Hatha Yoga is a much wider system of practice. It reminds us that yoga is not simply about the shapes we make with our bodies – the posture is part of a much deeper exploration of breath, energy, awareness and ultimately the relationship between body and mind.

​