The Sanskrit word “hatha” is actually composed of 2 root words, “ha” meaning sun in English, and “tha” meaning moon.
The combination of “ha” plus “tha” in the word “hatha” represents the goal of this yoga practice to achieve union and balance in the body, mind, and soul.
The word “hatha” also directly translates to mean “forceful” in Sanskrit, representing how Hatha Yoga transformed into a more physical practice.

Even though all forms of modern yoga are rooted in Hatha Yoga, Hatha Yoga has also become its own unique yoga style.
Hatha yoga classes are typically performed at a slower pace and are more focused on alignment and breath awareness, but the exact style of a Hatha Yoga class can greatly vary depending on the teacher.

Hatha Yoga uses the combination of physical poses and breathing practices to bring harmony into the body and promote deep relaxation.
Modern Hatha Yoga classes are typically slower and focus on using the breath in combination with static postures that are held for longer periods of time.
Hatha Yoga classes also tend to be more accommodating for people of all ages and body types due to the slower pace.