hatha
Physical yoga branch
Hatha refers to a branch of yoga emphasizing physical postures, breathing techniques, and meditation.
In Western contexts, hatha yoga typically means a gentle, slower-paced practice focusing on basic poses and alignment—often recommended for beginners.
The term comes from Sanskrit words for sun and moon, suggesting balance of opposing energies.
Yoga body position
- postureBody position, alignment
- alignmentCorrect relative positioning
- flexibilityAbility to adapt easily
- stretchingExtending muscles or material
strength · core · muscles · bodywork · exercise · fitness · movement · anatomy
Yogic breath control technique
- breathingPulmonary gas exchange
- inhalationTaking breath in
- exhalationBreathing out air
- retentionContinued holding or possession
diaphragm · oxygenation · rhythm · control · awareness · vitality
Awareness of the present
- stillnessComplete lack of motion
- contemplationSustained reflective attention
- introspectionObserving one's own mind
- awarenessState of perceiving reality
concentration · focus · silence · solitude · mantra · om · chakra · kundalini
State of balance
- stabilityResistance to displacement
- steadinessState of being constant
- poiseGraceful, unshakable calm
- alignmentCorrect relative positioning
symmetry · coordination · centering · grounding · tree pose · proprioception · counterbalance · integration
State of being unwound
- gentlenessSoft, kind demeanor
- soothingReducing distress or discomfort
- healingRestoration of health
- therapeuticPromoting healing or wellness
rejuvenation · unwinding · decompression · nurturing · softness · ease · peacefulness · calmness
asana
Yoga body position
- postureBody position, alignment
- alignmentCorrect relative positioning
- flexibilityAbility to adapt easily
stretching · strength · core · muscles · bodywork · exercise · fitness · movement · anatomy · kinesiology
pranayama
Yogic breath control technique
- breathingPulmonary gas exchange
- inhalationTaking breath in
- exhalationBreathing out air
retention · diaphragm · oxygenation · rhythm · control · awareness · vitality
mindfulness
Awareness of the present
- stillnessComplete lack of motion
- contemplationSustained reflective attention
- introspectionObserving one's own mind
awareness · concentration · focus · silence · solitude · mantra · om · chakra · kundalini · enlightenment
equilibrium
State of balance
- stabilityResistance to displacement
- steadinessState of being constant
- poiseGraceful, unshakable calm
alignment · symmetry · coordination · centering · grounding · tree pose · proprioception · counterbalance · integration · harmony
relaxation
State of being unwound
- gentlenessSoft, kind demeanor
- soothingReducing distress or discomfort
- healingRestoration of health
therapeutic · rejuvenation · unwinding · decompression · nurturing · softness · ease · peacefulness · calmness · savasana
- yogaasana, asanas, pranayama, yoga class, yoga pose
- fitness activitiesyoga, pilates, aerobics, gymnastics, dance
- fitness classesfitness class, aerobics, spin class, bootcamp, yoga class
- Arabic WordsAllah, Islam, Muslim, Quran, inshallah
- mindful movementtai chi, qigong, vinyasa, walking meditation, moving meditation
- yoga stylesvinyasa, ashtanga yoga, Bikram yoga, yin yoga, hot yoga
hathasavasana
Supine relaxation posture
restorative yoga · complete rest · stillness · corpse pose · sleep
hathaecstatic dance
Freeform movement practice inducing bliss
- hatha yogaBody-focused meditative exercise