Hatha Yoga

Hatha yoga is a branch of yoga that emphasizes physical techniques, including postures (asanas), breathing exercises (pranayama) and mudras or hand gestures, to balance the body and mind. The term "Hatha" combines the Sanskrit words for "sun" (ha) and "moon" (tha), symbolizing the balance of opposites within the body.

Hatha yoga breathing techniques can be traced back to the 1st Century in both Buddhist and Hindu texts. The resonant sound of OM which becomes an internal sound one perceives at this stage of the training, and also other sounds which arise in deep meditation.

The National Institutes of Health's National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health analyzed dozens of peer-reviewed studies, and while most of the research was performed on small numbers of subjects, they found evidence to suggest yoga may be beneficial for the following conditions.

Anxiety and depression: Yoga can help relieve everyday anxiety and depressive symptoms, however,…