Hatha yoga
Hatha names a broad tradition of bodily yoga practice. Older texts discuss posture, breath and other disciplines. Today’s classes using this name can differ in content and pace.
Historical descriptions help compare individual shapes. They do not establish a single modern hatha sequence or show that every contemporary variation is ancient.
Related poses in the shared bank
Historical comparison
Paschimottanasana A
Seated forward fold
Explore this pose →Free example
Padmasana
Lotus
Explore this pose →Member · detail view
Baddha Padmasana · Upright form
Bound lotus
Explore this pose →Member · detail view
Kukkutasana
Rooster
Explore this pose →Member · detail view
Mayurasana
Peacock
Explore this pose →Member · detail view
Savasana
Reclining rest
Explore this pose →Free example
Gomukhasana B
Cow face
Explore this pose →Member · detail view
Matsyasana · Lotus
Fish
Explore this pose →Member · detail view
Salabhasana A
Locust
Explore this pose →Member · detail view
Akarna Dhanurasana A
Bow toward the ear
Explore this pose →Member · detail view
Bhujangasana · Bent elbows
Cobra
Explore this pose →Member · detail view
Vrikshasana · Palms together
Tree
Explore this pose →Member · detail view
Makarasana · Head on folded arms
Crocodile
Explore this pose →Member · detail view
Vajrasana · Seated on heels
Kneeling seat
Explore this pose →Member · detail view
Virasana · Block between the feet
Kneeling seat
Explore this pose →Member · detail view
Siddhasana
Meditative seat
Explore this pose →Member · detail view
Swastikasana
Cross-legged seat
Explore this pose →Member · detail viewCompare variants
Letters such as A and B follow the labels on our pose pages. They are not a universal system across yoga traditions. Each image keeps the name of the form shown.
Paschimottanasana
Compare a direct big-toe hold with a shallow belt-assisted fold. The hands meet the toes in one form and hold the belt in the other. The depth of the fold and the distance the arms must reach are different.
Gomukhasana
Compare hands around the upper knee with a handhold behind the back. These arm arrangements are different even when the legs look similar. Gheraṇḍa Saṃhitā 2.17 describes the seated base without prescribing the behind-back arm bind.
Read about these forms →Member · detail view
Keep the belt loose enough to avoid pulling. Release it for pain, tingling or numbness.
Salabhasana
Compare arms alongside the body with palms beside the chest. Gheraṇḍa Saṃhitā 2.40 mentions palms on the ground near the chest and lifted legs. It gives no A/B letters and does not determine every detail of either present-day image.
Savasana
A firm cushion supports both knees; the heels rest on the mat. Choose a comfortable height without pressure. The older description of Savasana does not specify this knee support.
Vajrasana / Virasana
Keep the block stable on the mat, with no leg underneath it. Do not force the knees or ankles. Leave for pain, tingling or numbness and seek individual advice if kneeling is unsuitable.
Read about these forms →Member · detail viewVrikshasana
Keep the lifted foot clear of the knee joint and do not force the hip to open. Keep a hand support if balance is uncertain, and step down before control is lost. Stop for pain or dizziness. An injury or balance problem needs individual assessment.
Read about these forms →Member · detail viewOlder descriptions of individual poses
The older references document particular historical forms. They do not establish every modern variation, class sequence or teaching method.
- Svātmārāma: Haṭhayogapradīpikā, with the Jyotsnā and Manobhilāṣiṇī commentaries (1895)1.23; 1.25; 1.28; 1.30; 1.32; 1.44–45 · 1895; 1.19, p. 15 · Wellcome Collection
- Gheraṇḍa Saṃhitā — translation by Sris Chandra Vasu (1895)2.17, p. 13; 2.22, p. 14; 2.37, 2.40, p. 16; 2.43–44, p. 17; 2.41, p. 16; 2.13, p. 12; 2.18, p. 13; 2.7–8, p. 11 · Wellcome Collection
Practising with care
If you have an injury or a medical condition, take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have another circumstance that may affect your practice, consult a qualified healthcare professional about suitable activities and necessary adaptations.
Learn new and demanding poses with a qualified yoga teacher. Adapt the range to your body and stop if you feel pain or dizziness. A short video illustrates movement; its length does not prescribe how long to hold a pose.
Headstands, shoulder stands and lotus are not starting poses for beginners. Injuries, balance problems or glaucoma are examples of reasons to assess suitability individually. Do not force a bind or use the body as leverage against the knee.