Hatha Yoga, Asana-Basic Definitions "Hatha Yoga" literally means the Uniting ('Yoga') of opposing energies ("Ha"  ~ Moon  "Tha" ~ Sun ) . It refers to the practice of the discipline of harmonizing the mind and the body with Spirit, a process in which the mind moves towards clarity and stillness and the body is purified, strengthened, and toned. This causes one's total Awareness to expand, deepen and opens the doorway to spontaneous Creativity. "Asana" literally means posture. Patanjali, the ancient Indian sage who is credited with first setting down the principles of yoga in writing, says that 'asana' is any posture that is both steady and comfortable, characterized by stillness, out of which Joy arises.