Yoga is a profound system of holistic health that originated more than 2,000 years ago in India. The word yoga means “to yoke” or “unite,” and the practice is designed to unify many things. At the most basic level, yoga helps unite body and mind. At a deeper level, yoga seeks to unite the individual with the universal.
In the West, the word “yoga” is commonly used to refer to Hatha Yoga, one branch of this ancient discipline that focuses on physical postures, breathing exercises and meditation. Hatha yoga teaches you how to relax and release tension, as well as strengthen weak muscles and stretch tight ones. It also helps balance and integrate mind, body and spirit, to enhance energy flow and stimulate the body’s own natural healing processes.