Hatha Yoga Poses are called 'asanas'. The asanas are used in combination  with meditation and breathing techniques know as Pranayama. Together they work the body to improve strength and flexibility, as well as, over all health, which is one of the reasons it is so popular. Hatha is a hybrid of the Sanskrit word 'ha' which means 'sun' and 'tha' which means 'moon.' Together they refer to the way Hatha's yoga poses often bring together opposite currents in the system. Hatha focus' mostly on asana and pranayama. These poses and posture techniques, couples with the breathing patterns are used to clear out the bodies energy channels (Nadis) This in turn, removes obstacles that can hamper other limbs, helping to improve your well being. Hatha has been around since 15th century Indiawhen a yogic sage, Swami Swatamarama detailed Hatha Yoga Pradipika, one of the most  important yoga  texts. The original intent of this form of yoga was to help support relaxation  of the body and to support the contemplation of one's reality.' Many of the classic Hatha yoga poses that were used at its inception are still in use today. According to those first practitioners of Hatha, the postures can lead to the best in not one physical well being, but also the best state of mind you can possibly obtain.

Meditation - brings us to the present & keeps us there. It  helps us relax and concentrate through Pranayama (Breathing). We become more aware and observant because we are more focused on what is happening at the moment. Meditating is an efficient and effective technique that helps us control our mind and relax our bodies. It helps us become more Conscious about what’s happening around and within ourselves. 

Pranayama  - means "breathing  techniques" or "breath control" In Yoga we learn how to breathe slowly and deeply the right way. This increases the capacity of our lungs, bringing more oxygen supply to the body to function  well. It reduces the toxins from our body preventing one from acquiring diseases; aids in digestion; develops our  concentration and focus; fights away stress and it relaxes the body and mind. 

'The autonomic nervous system is divided into the sympathetic system, which is often identified with the fight-or-flight response, and the parasympathetic, which is identified with what's been called the relaxation response. When you do yoga, the deep breathing, stretching & movements that releasemuscle tension, the relaxed focus on being present in your body initiates a process that turns the fight-or-flight system off & the relaxation  response on. That has a dramatic effect on the body. The heartbeat slows, respiration decreases, blood pressure decreases. The body seizes this chance to turn on the healing mechanisms'  ♥