Hatha Yoga

Puerto de la Cruz | La Palma

A practice for getting to know the body, deepening the breath and cultivating a calmer, more present mind.

The word Hatha comes from Sanskrit and is traditionally interpreted as the union of “Ha” (sun) and “Tha” (moon), representing the integration of opposite and complementary qualities. Hatha Yoga encompasses a wide set of practices that use the body, the breath and attention as tools to cultivate balance and awareness.

Students in warrior 2 pose.

The roots of Hatha Yoga lie in the yogic traditions of India, especially in medieval texts that systematised practices of asana, pranayama, mudras and other techniques. As modern yoga developed, many of the forms of postural yoga we know today were significantly influenced by these traditions.

At Tushala, Hatha Yoga classes have an unhurried, mindful rhythm, leaving time to enter each posture, explore it and remain in it. Instead of moving quickly from one posture to the next, we use the time to observe how the body feels, how the breath moves and what happens in our mind while we stay.

The postures (asanas) are combined with conscious breathing and, depending on the class, different Pranayama techniques, creating a space to develop a greater sensitivity towards the body and its needs.

This way of practising allows us to observe more clearly the effects of each posture: how our breathing changes, where tension or stability appears, which areas of the body are working and how our mind responds to effort, stillness or discomfort.

Because of its pace and structure, Hatha Yoga is also a particularly suitable practice for those who are just starting yoga. It allows us to get to know the main postures calmly, to learn how to use the breath during the practice and to develop a solid foundation of body awareness before exploring more dynamic practices.

Beyond the physical work, Hatha Yoga invites us to turn down the noise, direct our attention inwards and cultivate a more serene mind. Staying in the postures and connecting with the breath create a space to be present and to observe ourselves with greater clarity.

A practice for those who want to move with awareness, get to know their body and breath better, and find a space of calm in the middle of everyday life.