hatha yoga

noun

hatha yo·​ga ˈhə-tə-ˈyō-gə How to pronounce hatha yoga (audio)
ˈhä-
: a system of physical exercises for the control and perfection of the body that constitutes one of the four chief Hindu disciplines

Examples of hatha yoga in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Instead, the more tranquil experience might involve a hatha yoga class, a soothing massage to prepare your body for another day on the slopes, or relaxing by the pool with a steaming cup of ginger tea. Chadner Navarro, Vogue, 26 Jan. 2026 Hot yoga was developed from the traditional hatha yoga practice, according to Live Science. Russel Honoré, Newsweek, 5 Mar. 2025 Delve into the asanas of hatha yoga, the foundations of pranayama breathwork, and the sutras for a deeper understanding of the practice. Julia Eskins, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Feb. 2024 Some such types include karma yoga, Kundalini yoga, Bhakti yoga, tantra yoga, yin yoga, hatha yoga, power yoga, yoga nidra and prenatal yoga. Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 23 June 2023 There are numerous forms of yoga, including modern twists such as hot yoga and goat yoga, but in the US, most people learn hatha yoga, one of the more basic versions. Melanie Radzicki McManus, CNN, 28 Oct. 2022 Sound healing, reiki, meditation and hatha yoga are among wellness practices offered in the backdrop of Punta Mita’s unspoiled tropical paradise at Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita. Yola Robert, Forbes, 26 May 2022 Modern postural yoga, the practice of actually holding poses, originated with early 20th century guru Krishnamacharya, who taught a mix of gymnastic and wrestling moves, Western calisthenics and hatha yoga, a medieval practice all but lost in India for centuries. Gemma Tarlach, Discover Magazine, 9 June 2017

Word History

Etymology

Sanskrit haṭha force + yoga yoga

First Known Use

1818, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hatha yoga was in 1818

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Cite this Entry

“Hatha yoga.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hatha%20yoga. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.

Medical Definition

hatha yoga

noun
: a form of yoga emphasizing a system of physical postures for balancing, stretching, and strengthening the body

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