The word "yoga" means union. It refers to union on many levels: union of muscle and muscle, bone and bone, union of movement and breathing, union of thought and action, body and mind. Hatha is one of the most popular and readily accessible forms of yoga: not simply a form of exercise, but meditation in action. Illustrated throughout, this book is a comprehensive survey of Hatha yoga, taking in roots, philosophy, preparation, and practice. The practical section tells you how it feels, what to wear, and when to do it, and is followed by 15 basic lessons. These lessons are fully illustrated with step-by-step instruction on how to achieve and perfect the poses, and each lesson ends with a suggested practice session of between ten minutes and three-quarters of an hour, illustrated with thumbnail pictures of all the postures for easy reference.