admin When asked what type of Yoga I teach, I struggle to find a term. I usually end up saying “classic Hatha Yoga.” What does this even mean? What is Hatha, and what makes it different?
Hatha Yoga, by its definition, is not a type of Yoga. Hatha Yoga can be any Yoga where you practice both asanas and breathing together.
Yup, that’s right. The range is wide, from Anusara to Ashtanga and Yin Yoga, and even Bikram Yoga. Hatha Yoga is the umbrella term for all of these!
What does “Hatha’ even mean?
Hatha is a word that originally meant “force,” “effort,” and “violence.” These words, which include peace, surrender, and freedom, are not normally associated with Yoga.
In the West, the most common translation is “Ha” (sun) and “Tha”, which means moon. This suggests that the goal of Hatha Yoga is to balance our masculine and female sides, or masculine-feminine, yin-yang…you know the idea. But I’m here to tell you that’s not the case.
Michael Lloyd-Billington, in his “Living Yoga Blog,” correctly points out that the words ha and that are not related to the sun (Surya) or the moon (Chandra). This is a complete and utterly incorrect translation! These aspects do not technically define Hatha Yoga.
Hatha Yoga in a ‘Modern’ Sense
Let’s be honest: we’ve modified a lot of the original Yoga philosophy, and it’s not all bad.
Hatha Yoga is now synonymous with “slower” and “breathier” Yoga outside of the motherland. It’s the opposite of Power Yoga. The poses are held for longer periods than, say, Ashtanga, where only five breaths is the maximum.
These classes are great for beginners who want to learn the basics of Yoga. These classes allow beginners to learn the basics of the practice, including Warrior Variations, Sun Salutations, and Pranayama.
But that doesn’t mean they are any less difficult or boring. Prepare to sweat and breathe!
Does it matter what the correct translation of Hatha means for your yoga practice? It’s unlikely, but it doesn’t hurt knowing what we are talking about in a field where learning never ends.
