Hatha Yoga Classes in Putney, SW15
The original practice. Postures held with care, breath brought to the body, stillness found in movement.
Try 21 days for £50 See the timetableThe foundation of everything.
Hatha is the root from which most modern yoga styles descend. In Sanskrit, ha means sun and tha means moon — suggesting the union of opposites that yoga seeks: effort and ease, strength and flexibility, activity and rest.
In a Hatha class, postures (asanas) are typically held for several breaths, with clear guidance on alignment, breath and the transitions between shapes. The pace is deliberate — there is time to understand each pose, to feel where it lives in the body, and to settle into it before moving on.
At Phoenix, our Hatha classes bring together the physical and the contemplative — you’ll work the body with genuine care, and usually end with pranayama (breathwork) and a full Savasana. It’s a complete practice in one class.
If you’re new to yoga, Hatha is one of the very best places to begin. If you’ve been practising for years, it’s where you come back to when you want to go deeper into the fundamentals.
Balanced from the ground up.
Hatha builds both the body and the mind in equal measure. This is why it has endured as a complete practice for thousands of years.
Strength & flexibility together
Held postures develop muscular strength while gradually improving range of motion. Unlike stretching alone, Hatha builds the stability to use new flexibility — which makes it more sustainable.
Breath awareness
Hatha typically includes pranayama — conscious breathing techniques. Learning to observe and direct the breath is one of yoga’s most transferable skills, with measurable effects on nervous system regulation.
Alignment & body knowledge
Because Hatha slows down, it builds a real understanding of how your body works — which joints move, where tension is held, which directions you resist. This self-knowledge underpins all other practice.
Hatha is a good fit if…
Hatha works for a wide range of people precisely because it doesn’t rush. Here are some of the people who tend to flourish in it.
You’re new to yoga and want a thorough, unhurried introduction
You want to really understand the postures rather than just move through them
You’re returning to yoga after a break and want to rebuild from the foundations
You want breathwork to be part of your practice, not an afterthought
You find fast-paced classes overwhelming and want space to settle
You’re an experienced practitioner who wants to go back to basics with intention
Hatha Yoga FAQ
Hatha is the root from which most modern yoga styles descend. A Hatha class typically moves through a sequence of standing and floor postures held for several breaths each, with time taken on alignment, breathing and the transitions between poses.
Yes — Hatha is one of the best styles for beginners. The slower pace gives you time to understand each posture, listen to alignment cues and find your breath. It’s less overwhelming than faster styles and builds a strong foundation for all other practice.
In Vinyasa, postures flow continuously linked by breath — creating a more dynamic, warmer practice. Hatha holds each pose for longer and moves between them more deliberately, giving more time for alignment and stillness. Both have their place.
Yes — holding postures builds genuine muscular strength and endurance, particularly in the legs, core and arms. The pace is different from Vinyasa but the physical demand is real, especially as your practice deepens.
You can book any class through our online timetable. New members can start with our 21-day intro pass — 21 days of unlimited classes for £50.
Fundamentals and Gentle Flow
At Phoenix Yoga, our Fundamentals and Gentle Flow classes are rooted in Hatha principles — slower, alignment-focused sequences that are ideal for newer practitioners or those returning after a break.
Also at Phoenix Yoga: Vinyasa Yoga, Yin Yoga, Restorative Yoga and Breathwork
Begin at the beginning.
Try unlimited classes for 21 days — Hatha, Yin, Vinyasa and more.
See the 21-day intro offer