3. Commonly called Power yoga, Ashtanga is
definitely physically demanding. It's probably
best suited for an ex-athlete or someone looking
to really push their body.
4. Hatha yoga is a holistic path that includes
disciplines, physical postures (asana),
purification procedures, breathing
(pranayama), and meditation.
Hatha Yoga
5. Hatha yoga typically goes into a posture,
holds the posture, and then comes out of the
posture
There is no transition between postures as in
Ashtanaga classes.
Difference #1
6. Difference #2
This discipline was intended to be a
preparation of the body for physical
purification so that higher meditation could be
performed.
The discipline founded by him intends to help
a human being reach higher levels of self-
realization
7. Ashtanga seeks to bring a balance between
the breathing and the physical posture of a
person
The Hatha focuses on mediation and physical
strength of the body.
Difference #3
8. Hatha yoga concentrates on perfecting the
asanas and doing pranayama, or breath control,
to increase the flow of prana through the nadis.
An Ashtanga yoga practitioner not only works on
asanas and pranayama but also the other six of
the eight limbs including yama, niyama,
pratyahara, dharana, dhyana and samadhi. Yama
means control and involves following rules of
honesty, purity and nonviolence.
Difference #4
9. Difference #5
Ashtanga yoga takes the practitioner through
eight steps, starting with social and self
discipline, and ending at meditation.
Hatha yoga is based mostly on poses (Asanas)
and Pranayama (breathing techniques).