Hatha retreats in Southern Maalhosmadulu Atoll

Hatha is the umbrella term for yoga that works through the body: postures, breathing and relaxation. On most studio schedules today, a hatha class means a steadier pace where you come into a pose, hold it for several breaths, and come out before the next one.

You get time to actually feel each pose instead of rushing through it. Holding shapes for a few breaths builds steady strength in your legs and core and shows you where you are tight and where you have space. The pauses let you catch your breath and pay attention to it, and many people leave feeling settled and clear-headed rather than wrung out. It is also a good place to learn the basic poses well.

Classes typically last 60 to 90 minutes. Expect standing poses, forward folds, gentle backbends, twists and often a shoulderstand or headstand variation, each held for several breaths with short rests in between. Many classes include a few minutes of breathing exercises (pranayama) and end with a long relaxation lying down. The facilitator describes each pose, may demonstrate, and talks you through alignment. You get warm but rarely drenched, and music is quiet or absent.