| Yoga is an ancient practice and has been in existence | | | | something for every taste and style. |
| for millennia. The word yoga comes from the Sanskirt | | | | Yoga is an extremely popular activity today. Once |
| work yuj. Yuj is often interpreted to mean union or a | | | | practiced mainly in the East Yoga has attracted more |
| method of practice. . | | | | and more Western practitioners. People are attracted |
| It is believed that an Indian Sage named Patanjali | | | | to yoga for its health benefits, especially its capacity to |
| created one of the first comprehensive guides on yogi. | | | | create a relaxed mind and body. |
| The book, called Yoga Sutra, was created | | | | Most people practicing yoga in the west practice |
| approximately 2,000 years ago. This collection still | | | | asana yoga. Asana yoga is designed to cultivate the |
| serves as the basis for most forms of yoga practiced | | | | mind and body in a manner that is conducive to long |
| today. | | | | periods of meditation. Physical strength and stamina |
| The Yoga Sutra outlined the eight limbs of yoga as | | | | are key components of asana yoga. |
| follows: the yamas (restraints), niyamas (observances), | | | | Hatha yoga is the term used to mean a set of |
| asana (postures), pranayama (breathing), pratyahara | | | | physical exercises. The exercises of hatha yoga are |
| (withdrawal of senses), dharana (concentration), dhyani | | | | meant to align skin, muscles and bones. In addition, |
| (meditation), and samadhi (absorption). | | | | hatha seeks to open the channels of the body so that |
| There are many branches of yoga. In Raja yoga the | | | | energy can flow freely. |
| focus is on meditation. Karma yoga states that what | | | | In many forms of yoga a mantra is used. Om is a |
| we experience today is a result of past actions. In | | | | mantra that is often chanted at the beginning and end |
| Bhakti yoga the focus is on channeling emotions in a | | | | of a yoga session. Ancient yogis used this mantra to |
| positive manner. The various branches of yoga offer | | | | indicate the vibrations of the universe. |