The term Hatha Yoga has been commonly used to describe the practice of asana (postures). The syllable ha denotes the pranic (vital) force governing the physical body and tha denotes the chitta (mental) force thus making Hatha Yoga a catalyst to an awakening of the two energies that govern our lives. More correctly the techniques described in Hatha Yoga harmonise and purify the body systems and focus the mind in preparation for more advanced chakra and kundalini practices.
The Hatha Yoga system includes asana along with the six shatkarmas (physical and mental purification techniques), mudras and bandhas (psycho-physiological energy release techniques) and pranic awakening practices. Fine-tuning of the human personality at increasingly subtle levels leads to higher states of awareness and meditation.
Hatha Yoga has been described in several classic texts, notably Hatha Yoga Pradipika and Gherand Samhita.
