Yoga Styles · Putney SW15

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 Hatha classes

At a glance

Is Hatha for me?

PaceSteady and unhurried

ExperienceBeginner-friendly

Physical effortGentle to moderate

Good forTechnique and foundations

The practice

The foundation of everything.

Hatha is the root from which many modern yoga styles descend. In the Phoenix studio, that means a steady class with time to understand each posture, breathe and build confidence.

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.

Your teacher

Sneha teaches Hatha at Phoenix.

Sneha has been practising yoga for twenty years and teaching for over a decade. Hatha is her true home — she describes it as the practice where everything else becomes possible. In her classes, you’ll slow down enough to actually feel what each pose is doing: how the alignment changes everything, how the breath shifts the shape, how much is available when you stop rushing through.

She trained to 200hrs YTT and has since developed a specialism in Hatha and Therapeutic yoga, bringing particular care to students working around injury or restriction. Her classes are structured and warm in equal measure. Meet all our teachers →

The experience

What an hour of Hatha in this studio actually feels like.

A Phoenix Yoga teacher demonstrating a steady standing practice

There is time to actually arrive in each pose. That’s rare. Most classes move on before you’ve worked out where you are.

You settle into the room. The teacher takes you through a standing sequence — unhurried, each cue building on the last. You start to understand what Warrior II is actually asking of you. Your hips, your back leg, the rotation through the chest. It’s not new information but it’s landing differently today.

Most Hatha classes end with a few minutes of pranayama before Savasana. Slowing the breath at that point can help you settle before the final rest.

See Hatha on the timetable →

What you’ll gain

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.

Who it suits

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

Questions

Common questions

What is Hatha yoga?⌄

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.

Is Hatha yoga good for beginners?⌄

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.

How is Hatha different from Vinyasa?⌄

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.

Will Hatha yoga build strength?⌄

Holding postures can build strength and endurance, particularly through the legs, core and arms. Hatha moves more slowly than Vinyasa, but it can still be physically demanding.

How do I book a Hatha class at Phoenix Yoga Putney?⌄

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

Keep exploring