Hatha yoga is a meditation¹ program that includes exercises to help improve flexibility² and breathing, decrease stress, and maintain health. Yoga has been practiced for thousands of years in India and is based on the idea that the mind and body are one. It is thought that yoga improves health by improving how you see the world, which calms the spirit and decreases stress.

Two basic components³ of Hatha yoga are proper breathing and exercises, called postures⁵, that stretch the body. Postures are done while standing⁶, lying down, sitting in a chair, or in a headstand position. While practicing a posture⁴, a person does breathing exercises to help relax muscles, maintain the posture, and focus the mind.

Hatha is one of many types of yoga. While each type focuses on different aspects of yoga, all share the same goal, which is not only improved physical and mental health, but achievement of "oneness" with a higher being, the self, or some form of higher awareness⁷.