Over the years many different styles and paths of Yoga have been developed. Hatha Yoga is the traditional style which includes physical postures (asanas) and exercises that work directly on the mind and body. Breathing techniques and Pranayama are used with periods of relaxation. 

"Hatha" in translates as "Sun & Moon." This can be interpreted to mean "the balance of opposites within a person." For example, the male (Sun) and female (Moon) aspects. Another meaning of "Hatha" is "effort" which signifies transformation through the effort of the physical body.

In Raja Yoga (a Yoga system devised in AD200 by the ancient Sage Patanjali)  asanas are referred to as ' a comfortable seat for meditation' and are used exclusively as a meditational aid, to enable the meditator to forget about the body and to give his total attention to quietening the mind. By contrast the majority of Hatha Yoga asanas, a much later development, are used for physiological purposes. With a steady and comfortable posture, tension is released from the body and the feeling of becoming 'wider' is experienced. 

In Hatha Yoga we practise Pranayama meaning 'controlled breathing' - Pranayama is the controlling of Prana, the vital life energy, and is the practise of holding the breath inbetween inhaling and exhaling. Pranayama teaches the necessity of understanding how the breath, mind and body are linked. If practised correctly it can facilitate concentration which is vital for meditation.