The Sanskrit word “hatha” can be translated in English two different ways: as “willful” or “forceful,” as the active path of yoga—or as “sun” (ha) and “moon” (tha), as the yoga of balance. Taken together, hatha yoga can be described as a set of willful and active practices that aim to achieve harmony and balance in the mind, body, and spirit. This approach to yoga is often called “the forceful path” and includes the practice of physical postures and breathing techniques. 

Hatha Yoga is uniquely focused on transforming the physical body through purification and the cultivation of the subtle energies of the body. The ultimate goal of this type of yoga is to direct the vital energy into the central channel and draw it up towards the crown chakra.