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Yoga is a sanskrit word meaning to yoke, or to join. Uniting the body, mind and spirit. Asanas, or the postures, were originally developed as a means to an end, with the ultimate goal of meditation in mind. Hatha yoga refers to the physical aspect of yoga, which is centered around the asana and pranayama, or breathwork.
Other branches of yoga include karma yoga, or selfless service. Bhakti yoga is the path of devotion and raja yoga, also refered to as ashtanga (eight-limbed) or royal yoga, is the yoga of meditation. Jnana yoga refers to the path of knowledge and wisdom and tantra yoga is the pathway of ritual.
Hatha yoga focuses on balancing body, mind and spirit. The asanas are designed to regenerate all systems of the body: endocrine, nervous, muscular, skeletal, immune, circulatory and digestive. A hatha yoga practice also helps to calm the mind, increase patience, self-acceptance and clarity in thought and feeling.
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Hatha Yoga 
