5 Things You Should Know about Hatha Yoga

Hatha yoga is a gentle invitation to slow down, listen inward, and create lasting balance in your life. A weekly class can be the anchor that helps you return to yourself again and again. This is the main style of yoga I was trained in and continue to practice myself and teach to others. As an occupational therapist, I’m all about the “life skills” of balance and integrating what you learn on the mat into your daily routines!

5 Things You Should Know About Hatha Yoga

  1. It’s about balance
    Hatha yoga is often described as the “yoga of balance”—uniting strength with softness, movement with stillness, and effort with ease. Each class is designed to help your mind and body find harmony, leaving you feeling both grounded and uplifted.

  2. It connects breath and movement
    At the heart of Hatha yoga is the breath. By moving in sync with your breathing, you gently guide your nervous system toward a state of calm. Over time, this practice helps you feel more centered and steady, even outside of class.

  3. It builds strength and flexibility
    Hatha yoga uses mindful postures that strengthen your muscles while also opening tight or tense areas. Week by week, you’ll notice greater ease in your body and more freedom in how you move through daily life.

  4. It teaches you to slow down
    Unlike faster-paced yoga styles, Hatha offers space to pause, breathe, and notice. This slower rhythm gives your body and mind time to integrate each posture and provides a natural reset for your nervous system.

  5. It supports your whole self
    Hatha yoga is not only physical—it supports emotional balance and mental clarity too. With regular practice, you may find yourself more patient, more resilient, and more connected to moments of joy and peace.

Kinzie Eckstein