As mentioned, yoga is an ancient Indian philosophy that enhances personal growth and well being. Although it is a systematic philosophical approach, yoga is not a religion, but complementary with most spiritual paths.

The physical aspect of Yoga (Hatha Yoga) use poses and focused breathing, requiring concentration and discipline. The result is a greater union of mind, body and spirit. Anyone, regardless of body type, age, experience or physical abilities, can practice yoga.

Pop culture would have us believe that yoga involves contorting your body into uncomfortable positions while staring at a candle and breathing incense. You will see that yoga is much more than that. It is a series of exercises that can be done by almost all people – not just the young who are in shape and healthy. Yoga can be performed by senior citizens, disable people and even children.

Yoga is a tool for gaining body – mind awareness to enhance whatever spiritual/religious beliefs you have. A yoga session will leave you feeling energized and relaxed. You will work your muscles and will properly align your bones; you will breathe deeply, oxygenating the lungs and blood; you will experience true deep relaxation.

By bringing awareness to the body, and working the muscles, you are able to more deeply relax them then from any other form of exercise. You will gain a deeper appreciation of your body and mind through yoga in a way that no other exercise program will.

People who have done no physical exercise at all, as well as Olympic athletes, find enormous benefit from Yoga. The foundation of traditional yoga is careful alignment of your body as you hold the poses. This precision and the awareness that comes with it, lead to tremendous growth, physically, mentally and emotionally.

As in all great arts and sciences, to become proficient in yoga requires effort, determination and practice. But then, the fruit we reap is always in proportion to the seeds we sow and nurture. Thus, if you are looking for a quick fix, an instant cure, a quelling of surface symptoms while the true ailment remains unhealed, you will not find satisfaction yoga.

On the other hand, if you want to keep or regain your health, vitality and vigor; if you want to feel younger and stronger; and if you are looking for a perfectly balanced and complete form of exercise that can be started by anyone over seven years of age, in any condition; and which becomes more challenging as you get more advanced, yoga is for you!

When one mentions “yoga”, many images may be conjured up. Perhaps you get an image of flower children from the 60’s sitting in a circle with their legs in impossible positions chanting “ohm” around a huge candle in a poor lit room. Yoga is an ancient art that has been practiced for centuries. Over the years, it has risen in popularity as a way to stay fit, get in touch with one’s inner self and keep a balance of sanity in a sometimes insane world.

While yoga did come to popularity in the 60’s with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi who popularized Transcendental Meditation (TM) in the 60’s, because he was associated with the Beatles, yoga practioners have brought the ancient practice to the forefront of wellness in recent years.

Many scholars believe that yoga dates back over 5,000 years to the beginning of human civilization. Scholars believe that yoga grew out of Stone Age Shamanism, because of the cultural similarities in a neolithic settlement (in what is now Afghanistan). In fact, much of the ideas, ritual and symbols of today appear to have their roots in his Shamanistic culture of Mehrgahr.

Early yoga and archaic shamanism had much in common as both sought to transcend the human condition. The primary goal of shamanism was to head members of the community and act as religious mediators. Archaic Yoga was also community oriented, as it attempted to discern the cosmic order through inner vision, then to apply that order to daily living. Later, Yoga elvolved into into a more inward experience and Yogis focused on their individual enlightenment and salvation.

Yoga is the most diversifield spiritual practice in the world. Crossing over many cultures, Yoga also extends over multiple languages such as Hindi, Tibetan, Bengali, Sanskrit, Tamil, Prakit, Marathi and Mali. The Yogic tradition continues to proliferate and spread its message of peace to this very day.

As studies continue to reveal yoga’s many health benefits, this centuries-old Eastern Philosophy is fast becoming the new fitness soul mate for workout enthusiasts. Contemporary devotees range from high-powered execs trying to keep hearts beating on a healthy note to image-conscious Hollywood stars striving for sleek physiques. Even prominent athletes are adding yoga to their training regime to develop balanced, injury-free muscles and spines.

Yet to applaud yoga for its physical benefits alone would only diminish what this entire system has to offer as a whole. By practising yoga a regular basis, you may be surprised to find that you’re building much more than a strong, flexible body.

Initially, the sole purpose of practising yoga was to experience spiritual enlightenment. In Sanskrit (the ancient language of India), yoga translates as “yoke” or “union”, describing the intergration of mind and body to create a greater connection with one’s own pure, essential nature.

Classes that have gained popularity usually teach one of the many types of hatha yoga, a physical discipline which focuses mainly on ananas (postures) and breath work in order to prepared the body for spiritual pursuits.

We will attempt to simplify the ancient practice of yoga by showing some basic yoga positions, giving us tips on performing yoga exercise and inducting meditation practices into our everyday life. Through yoga and meditation, we could come to new level of enlightenment with our personal life and enhance the quality of our existence.

No longer is yoga a mysterious phenomenon. It is now simply a way to keep our life healthy and aligned.