The word yoga is derived from the Sanskrit word yuj, means to yoke, in this case, to join mind and body. The fundamental purpose of yoga is to foster harmony in the body, mind, and environment. Yoga professes a complete system of physical, mental, social, and spiritual development. It uses breathing techniques, exercise and meditation, which in turn leads to a civility within one’s life (body and mind), thereby improving health and happiness.

Yoga encompasses eight aspects: restraints, observances, postures, breathing, withdrawal of senses, concentration, meditation, and absorption with the final objective of reaching liberation and enlightenment.

Today, most people practicing yoga are engaged in the physical postures only, but this is merely a tool to help purify the body and provide physical strength and stamina required for long periods of meditation.

The science was developed in India many thousands of years ago, and many modern teachers have helped bring yoga into the consciousness of people from all over the world, including India.

Yoga is not a religion, and it is not necessary to surrender your own religious beliefs to practice yoga, and is best taught by a teacher and not self-taught, as a teacher would explain all aspects of yoga.