The classic text ever written on Hatha Yoga was from an Indian yogi named Svatmarama who wrote Hatha Yoga Pradipika in the fifteenth century C.E. We know little about the author and his name meaning "one who delights in one's own soul" might give us an indication of Svatmarama the man and yogi. The word "pradipika" comes from Sanskrit and means "to light a flame". Therefore Hatha Yoga Pradipika literally means to "throw light on or to explain the esoteric side of Hatha Yoga.

"Ha" meaning "sun" and "tha" meaning "moon" - the name indicates the union of two opposite energies. It indicates a lot of physical effort as well as creating harmony between "strong" and "gentle" or ida and pingala / yin and yang. The focus of hatha yoga is first of all to concentrate on the practice of postures (asanas) and breath control (pranayama) both with the aim to purify the subtle energies (nadis) to prepare oneself for the further steps of yoga namely sense-withdrawal (Pratyahara), concentration (Dharana), meditation (Dhyana) and union with the object of meditation (Samadhi). In Hatha Yoga postures are held for a longer period of time and the breath is consciously silent and unforced.

Hatha Yoga helps to bring health and vitality to the mind, body and spirit. The master of postures in itself is not the objective but through mastering the body and breath and energies a strengthening in power of will and concentration is created and the ability to move away from sense gratification is developed. It turns intelligence, the seeking of truth and joy into an inward journey.

The asanas improve health and address diseases in the physical and energy body of the practitioner. The word "asana" means "seat" and refers not just to the physical posture but also the relationship of the physical vehicle, the soul (breath) with divinity.