Hatha yoga\n\nThe term Hatha was first recorded in the 11th century, but it wasn’t until the late 19th century that it came to American, gaining mainstream popularity in the 1960s. Yoga is a Sanskrit term meaning to join, unite, or yoke together, and the essential purpose of yoga is to bring together body, mind, and spirit into a harmonious whole. The central methods of yoga are physical postures or asanas and movement, breathing techniques, or pranayama and meditation. Yoga includes guidance on a healthy lifestyle, eating habits, mental attitude, and Ayurvedic medicine is also part of the Yogic path to health and balance.\n\nBenefits of Yoga\n\nCalm and clarity\nGreater confidence and generally more positive mood\nSense of inner well-being and centredness\nIncreased awareness of body and movement\nCounters depression and anxiety\nAbility to concentrate improves\nMore self-acceptance\nIncreased social skills