With ancient routes dating back at least 2,000 years, Hatha yoga is a non-sectarian form of yoga that aims to assist practitioners in attaining self-awareness (Rile 2004, 20).
The postures of Hatha yoga were originally designed to purify the body in preparation for higher states of consciousness and meditation. Standing, balancing, forward and backward bends, and twists are some postures that help build strength and improve flexibility in a controlled way. Further, controlled breathing, called pranayama, assists the mind in focusing and is an important component of relaxation. Dhyana, the meditative aspect of yoga, calms and focuses the mind. These three components of Hatha yoga are complementary to each other and are interrelated.
Research shows practicing Hatha yoga can have both physiological and psychological benefits. Patients with chronic low back pain showed improved balance and flexibility in functional measurement scores as well as a decrease in depression (Rile 2004, 20). A study on the effects of yoga in those with depression who attended two one-hour yoga classes for five consecutive weeks reported significant decreases in their levels of anxiety and depression (Rile 2004, 20). Hatha yoga is considered a promising method for treating anxiety (Hofmann et al. 2016). More well-controlled studies are suggested for comparing the efficacy of Hatha yoga with other more established treatments (Hofmann et al. 2016).
Hatha yoga has grown in popularity in the West over the past few decades. Data from a 1998 national survey conducted by the Center for Complementary Medicine Research at Harvard University suggest 7.4 million Americans used yoga during the previous year for both wellness and specific health issues (Saper et al. 2004). According to the Yoga Journal, over 15 million people are estimated to have taken yoga classes in the United States alone in the previous 12 months (Rile 2004, 20).
A recent 2022 survey by the National Health Interview Survey claims that practitioners grew from 5% of the adult population in 2002 to 16% in 2022, and that women (23.3%) are more than twice as likely as men (10.3%) to practice yoga (Elgaddal and Weeks 2024; Huang 2024).
References
Elgaddal, Nazik., and Weeks, Julie D. 2024. “Yoga Among Adults Age 18 and Older: United States, 2022.” NCHS Data Brief 501:1–11. PDF downloadable.
Hofmann, Stefan G., Andreoli, Giovanbattista., Carpenter, Joseph K., and Curtiss, Joshua. 2016. “Effect of Hatha Yoga on Anxiety: A Meta-Analysis.” Journal of Evidence-Based Medicine 9(3):116–124.
Huang, Pien. 2024. “Have we reached peak yoga in the U.S.? The CDC wants to know.” NPR. Available.
Rile, David. 2004. “Hatha Yoga and the Treatment of Illness.” Alternative Therapies 10(2):20–21.
Saper Robert B., Eisenberg David M., Davis Roger B., Culpepper, Larry., and Phillips, Russell S. 2004. “Prevalence and Patterns of Adult Yoga Use in the United States: Results of a National Survey.” Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine 10(2)44-49.
Bishop's Encyclopedia of Religion, Society, and Philosophy 
Hatha yoga is an ancient practice with a rich history, offering numerous benefits for both physical and mental well-being. The combination of postures (asanas), controlled breathing (pranayama), and meditation (dhyana) can lead to improved flexibility, balance, strength, and reduced stress and anxiety.
Research supports the effectiveness of Hatha yoga in alleviating symptoms of depression and anxiety, with studies suggesting its potential as a complementary therapy. As its popularity grows, it’s essential to continue exploring its benefits and applications in various contexts.
The statistics on yoga’s growing popularity in the US are striking, with a significant increase in practitioners over the past two decades. As people seek holistic approaches to health and wellness, Hatha yoga’s timeless wisdom and adaptability make it an attractive option for many.