Hatha Yoga is one of the world’s oldest and most popular forms of yoga. The Hatha system was invented in the 15th century by a man named Yogi Swatmarama. His theory was that as the Hatha Yoga Postures were completed and eventually mastered, the body would become more pure and healthy and that the mind and spirit would then be able to meditate on a different and much higher level.  Today, Hatha is accessible to all people. People of any age, skill or experience level, and weight can modify Hatha  to achieve mental and physical health.

One of the most common Hatha Yoga Postures is Mountain Pose or Tadasana, which is considered a standing pose. Most people will learn this Hatha Yoga position during their very first Hatha session. To do it, the practitioner simply stands erect, being sure to be strong in the legs. Then, the hands are placed at chest level, the palms facing and touching each other. This Hatha position is meant to be one of strength.

More experienced practitioners of Hatha Yoga will be able to do backbends, twist, and other movements that can appear complicated at first glance. If they’re really broken down though, these Hatha moves are easy to master. Take the Camel Pose or Ustrasana, for example. What looks beautiful and exotic in this pose is actually quite simple. The practitioner sits upward on the knees and then leans backward to grasp and hold the outstretched ankles. The important thing here and the thing that gives the Hatha posture its sense of beauty and grace is to bend slowly and gracefully, at the waist, arching out the stomach and chest but not the back. This pose allows for easily flowing breath and a sense of unity or wholeness in the body.

Inversions are another important part of Hatha Yoga. These poses can look difficult to the beginning Hatha practitioner, but all they take is practice to master. When most people look at the plow pose, they find it intimidating, but it’s a fairly simple part of Hatha. The practitioner begins by lying flat on the back and then slowly raises the back and buttocks off of the floor and above the head. Simultaneously or after the legs are lifted, depending on the instructions of the Hatha instructor, the hands are joined together and stretched away from the body. Then the uplifted legs go behind or over the head, reaching as far backward as possible. The ideal Hatha pose of the inversion would be with the legs straight back and the toes touching the ground.

The important thing to remember about Hatha Yoga, however, is that the spirit of Hatha is what really counts. The spirit of Hatha isn’t concerned with how well a pose is executed or with how long the person has been practicing Hatha or for how many hours a day. Instead, the spirit of Hatha is about approaching yoga with an open heart and a willingness to learn.