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Hatha yoga is what most westerner's simply call "yoga".

Often seen as a part of Raja Yoga, Hatha Yoga combines the ability to act and the ability to reflect. The word Hatha is derived from 2 roots, ha meaning sun and tha meaning moon. Central to Hatha Yoga disciplines is the regulation of the breath; and the harmonizing of it's positive (sun) and negative (moon) currents.

Hatha Yoga is the most widely practiced form of yoga in the western world. It is best known as a series of body postures (asanas) such as the well known lotus position (Padmasana). Hatha Yoga positions are practiced largely in the West for their practical health benefits, and are often combined with meditation as spiritual and mental exercise and discipline.