Skip to content
  • Paths
    • Find Your Way
    • All Yogas
    • Bhakti Yoga
    • Karma Yoga
    • Jnana Yoga
    • Raja Yoga
    • Hatha Yoga
    • More Yoga Paths
    • Mantra Yoga
  • Videos
    • First Steps
    • Stories
    • Yoga Perspectives
    • Essential Life Skills
    • Spiritual Development
    • Devotional Yoga
    • Yoga in Daily Life
  • Talks
    • Classes in Higher Yogas
    • Yoga Basics
    • Sunday Morning Sessions
    • Bhakti Yoga Talks
    • Sri Ramakrishna Talks
    • Go Farther with Meditation
    • Theme of the Month
    • Devotional Chants
  • Writings
    • Yoga as a Spiritual Path
    • Discover the Miracle of Prayer
    • Keys to Higher Consciousness
    • Growing on the Path
    • Relating with Spirit
    • Spiritual Living
    • Interviews
  • Explore
    • Lifelines
    • Topics
    • Yoga Terms
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Staff Favorites
    • Recent Additions
    • What’s Coming?
  • Courses
    • Introducing Courses
    • Online Seminars
    • Online Retreats
    • Initial Mysteries
  • About
    • Ramakrishna Ananda
    • Why Are We Doing This Now?
    • Our Ideals
    • Our Team
    • Donate
    • Get Updates
    • Contact Us
    • Terms and Privacy
  • Paths
    • Find Your Way
    • All Yogas
    • Bhakti Yoga
    • Karma Yoga
    • Jnana Yoga
    • Raja Yoga
    • Hatha Yoga
    • More Yoga Paths
    • Mantra Yoga
  • Videos
    • First Steps
    • Stories
    • Yoga Perspectives
    • Essential Life Skills
    • Spiritual Development
    • Devotional Yoga
    • Yoga in Daily Life
  • Talks
    • Classes in Higher Yogas
    • Yoga Basics
    • Sunday Morning Sessions
    • Bhakti Yoga Talks
    • Sri Ramakrishna Talks
    • Go Farther with Meditation
    • Theme of the Month
    • Devotional Chants
  • Writings
    • Yoga as a Spiritual Path
    • Discover the Miracle of Prayer
    • Keys to Higher Consciousness
    • Growing on the Path
    • Relating with Spirit
    • Spiritual Living
    • Interviews
  • Explore
    • Lifelines
    • Topics
    • Yoga Terms
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Staff Favorites
    • Recent Additions
    • What’s Coming?
  • Courses
    • Introducing Courses
    • Online Seminars
    • Online Retreats
    • Initial Mysteries
  • About
    • Ramakrishna Ananda
    • Why Are We Doing This Now?
    • Our Ideals
    • Our Team
    • Donate
    • Get Updates
    • Contact Us
    • Terms and Privacy
  • Share
RAMAKRISHNA ANANDA

The Secret of Hatha Yoga

What is the best way to release tension from the body?

Yoga helps one to live in the harmony of body, mind and spirit. Yoga techniques shed tension from the body and mental/emotional turbulence from the mind. Hatha yoga focuses on locating and releasing physical tension, aids in stress reduction, and leads to a longer, healthier life. Improve your quality of life and increase well being through the practice of yoga postures.

Hatha Yoga

Stillness Is the Secret

What is the secret of hatha yoga? Stillness — being comfortable and still in a posture. Hatha yoga movements are called postures, indicating stillness. Stillness is the secret.

Hatha yoga is the best way to release tension from the body. It rejuvenates the vital organs and the essential systems of circulation, respiration and cell replacement, for example. It can also lead to higher levels of awareness where you begin to sense your soul. Peace, bliss and increased vitality can be experienced through the practice of hatha yoga postures.

  • Comfortably go as far as you can into a hatha yoga posture but do not strain. Now pause
  • Identify exactly where the tension in your body prevents you from going farther
  • Pause and release a little more tension. (Make two or three releases, if comfortable.)
  • Visualize and feel space filling the tense area
  • Likely you will be able to release some tension and move half an inch farther in the pose
  • At first, maintain the posture for 30 seconds. (If comfortable, work up to two minutes.)
  • Remember:  The secret of hatha yoga is stillness — being comfortable and still in a posture

Watch Next

29:03
Allow hatha yoga to work its magic
19:05
Can hatha yoga asanas improve your meditations?
The five kleshas (causes of suffering) include...
1. Immoderate liking
1. Immoderate liking
Correct

The kleshas are: ignorance, egotism, immoderate liking, immoderate disliking and possessiveness. Hear more about how to overcome these afflictions.
2. Unfriendliness
2. Unfriendliness
Try Again
3. Busyness
3. Busyness
Try Again
4. None of the above
4. None of the above
Try Again

New This Week

19:22
What is the best way to release tension from the body?
29:03
Allow hatha yoga to work its magic
19:05
Can hatha yoga asanas improve your meditations?
Show More
Home > Paths > Hatha Yoga > The Secret of Hatha Yoga
Next
  • Home
  • Paths
  • Videos
  • Talks
  • Writings
  • Courses
  • Explore
  • About
  • Search
  • Home
  • Paths
  • Videos
  • Talks
  • Writings
  • Courses
  • Explore
  • About
  • Search

© Copyright 2025 Yoga World Fellowship

  • Terms and Privacy
  • Sitemap

How to Succeed

As you may know, we do not charge for our courses. All Yoga World content is free and available to you with our blessings. However, we do have a simple, but important request that’s key to the transformations necessary to succeed on the path.

We ask you to commit two hours a week to selfless service. This service can be anything you choose ranging from helping a family member or neighbor to volunteering at a nonprofit organization.

I Commit to Serve

This commitment is solely between you and your inner self.

Why the Commitment?

Share with a Friend

NOTE:  We will not share your information with third parties.