Hatha simply refers to the practice of physical yoga postures, meaning your Ashtanga and Vinyasa classes are also considered Hatha yoga.
The main difference between a Hatha and Vinyasa yoga practice is the pace and the goal. Hatha yoga, according to Yoga Journal, is designed to align and calm your mind, body and spirit while Vinyasa classes often repeat series of poses and often involve increasing body heat — and sweat — and building strength.
The word “hatha” can be translated two ways: as “willful” or “forceful,” or the yoga of activity, and as “sun” (ha) and “moon” (tha), the yoga of balance.