Hatha yoga is a specific style of yoga that focuses on physical postures (asanas), breath control (pranayama), and meditation. It is often considered to be the foundation for other styles of yoga.
Yoga, on the other hand, is a broader term that refers to a wide range of practices and traditions aimed at achieving physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.
Here are some of the key differences between yoga and hatha yoga:
Scope: Yoga encompasses a wide range of practices beyond just physical postures, including meditation, breathe work, and ethical guidelines for living. Hatha yoga, on the other hand, primarily focuses on physical postures and breathe work.
Approach: While both yoga and hatha yoga emphasize the mind-body connection, hatha yoga places a greater emphasis on physical postures and may involve more static holding of poses than other styles of yoga.
Tradition: Hatha yoga is a specific tradition within the broader yoga tradition, with its own set of practices and teachings. Yoga, on the other hand, encompasses a wide range of traditions and practices.
Accessibility: While some forms of yoga can be challenging for beginners or those with physical limitations, hatha yoga is generally considered to be accessible to people of all levels and abilities.
Overall, hatha yoga is a specific style of yoga that focuses on physical postures and breath work, while yoga encompasses a wide range of practices and traditions aimed at achieving physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.