Hatha YOGA

Literally however, Hatha means 'force' and is more traditionally defined as 'the yoga of force', or 'the means of attaining a state of yoga through force'. So Hatha yoga can be considered as anything you might do with the body, including: asana – yoga postures (practiced in any style of 'YOGA')

Hatha yoga is a branch of YOGA that uses physical techniques to try to preserve and channel vital force or energy. The Sanskrit word हठ HATHA literally means "force", alluding to a system of physical techniques. A Hatha Yoga practice may be used by anyone as a way to increase fitness, improve health, attain or restore greater balance and connectedness of mind-body-spirit, and develop mental focus and discipline. HATHA YOGA, like other methods of YOGA, can be practiced by all, regardless of sex, caste, class, or creed. Many texts explicitly state that it is practice alone that leads to success. The aims of Haṭha yoga in various Indian traditions have included physical siddhis (special powers, bodily benefits such as slowing age effects, magical powers) and spiritual liberation (moksha, mukti). For example, the Vayu Siddhi or "conquest of the air" literally implies rising into the air as in levitation, but it likely has a symbolic meaning of "a state of consciousness into a vast ocean of space" or "voidness" ideas found respectively in Hinduism and Buddhism. HATHA YOGA teaches various steps of inner body cleansing with consultations of one's yoga teacher. Its texts vary in specifics and number of cleansing methods, ranging from simple hygiene practices to the peculiar exercises such as reversing seminal fluid flow.