The main component of hatha yoga, is the asanas. The word asana means comfortable, stable pose. They are designed to align your skin, muscles and bones. The postures are also designed to open the many channels of the body, especially the spine. This allows energy to flow freely.

The most important element in yoga is breathing, and it is this that separates yoga from other kinds of exercise. Each asana is linked to an inhale and an exhale. Which helps the student to move more deeply into the postures. Deep breathing brings oxygen to the entire body, which energizes the system. Whilst practising an asana you are mindful of what you are doing. You are constantly monitoring the body and listening to its feedback and adjusting yourself (perhaps quite subtly). So your mind becomes very concentrated and controlled.