The word yoga comes from Sanskrit, an ancient Indian language. It is a derivation of the word yuj, which means yoking, as in a team of oxen. In contemporary practice, this is often interpreted as meaning union. Yo-ga is said to be for the purpose of uniting the mind, body, and spirit. Yoga is suitable for all, no matter what your age or level of experience. Depending on where you practice yoga, what you do on the mat can be very different. Calm and relaxing to up-tempo and dynamic, fitness-focused to spiritual, there are a variety of practices that have evolved from traditional yoga as it has spread across the globe. The term Hatha Yoga refers to two different things. On the one hand, it’s an umbrella term for most asana-based (meaning postures-based) types of yoga people practice today. Its principles are found in Vinyasa, Yin or Ashtanga Yoga, for example. But Hatha Yoga has also grown from its traditional roots to become a style on its own. When you break it down, “Ha” means sun and “Tha” means moon: “Yoga” can also be translated to mean union. According to this translation, Hatha Yoga is the practice of unifying and balancing the dual energies that are present in all of us