Yoga, which derives its name from

the word, “yoke”—to bring together—

We can think of the union occurring
between the mind, body and spirit.
What is commonly referred to as
"yoga" can be more accurately
described by the Sanskrit word
asana, which refers to the practice of
physical postures or poses.
Yoga asanas (postures or poses) help condition
your body
Kriya focuses on the effort necessary to move
energy up and down the spine;
Yoga mudra is a gesture or movement to hold
energy or concentrate awareness
Bandha uses the technique of holding muscular
contractions to focus awareness.
Yoga focuses on the mind by
teaching you to concentrate
on specific parts of the body.
Yoga uses controlled breathing
as a way to merge the mind,
body, and spirit. The breathing
techniques are called
pranayamas;
prana means energy or life force
yama means social ethics.
Indus Valley civilization (ca. 3300–
1700 BC)
Several steatite seals discovered at
Indus Valley Civilization (c. 3300–
1700 BC) sites depict figures in a
yoga- or meditation-like posture,
The most widely known of these
images was named the "Pashupati
seal“.
Upanishadic (ca. 800-100 BC)
Mahabharata (5th c. BCE)
including the Bhagavad Gita (ca.
200 BCE), and the Yoga Sutras of
Patanjali (200 BCE-300 CE).
In the Maitrayaniya Upanishad
(ca. 200-300 BCE) yoga surfaces
as:
Shadanga-Yoga - The uniting
discipline of the six limbs (shad-
anga), as expounded in the
Maitrayaniya-Upanishad: (1) breath
control (pranayama), (2) sensory
inhibition (pratyahara), (3)
meditation (dhyana), (4)
concentration (dharana), (5)
examination (tarka), and (6) ecstasy
(samadhi).
associated with meditative practices
in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism.
Yoga also helps your body maintain
a stable relationship with itself while
going into a calm, neutral state of
peace.
The goal of yoga may range from
improving health to achieving
Moksha
The goal of the yogi was to ascend into the
immortal realms of pure
spirit, to imbibe the intuitional nectar of
enlightenment, eradicate
disease and find liberation from suffering
“A person is said to have achieved yoga,
the union with the Self, when the perfectly disciplined
mind gets
freedom from all desires, and becomes absorbed in
the Self alone”
The ultimate goal of yoga is, however, to
help the individual to transcend the self
and attain enlightenment. As the
Bhagavad-Gita says, “A person is said to
have achieved yoga, the union with the
Self, when the perfectly disciplined mind
gets freedom from all desires, and
becomes absorbed in the Self alone.”
The aspirant feels
rejuvenated and
energized. Thus, Yoga
bestows upon every
aspirant the powers to
control body and mind.
Attainment of perfect equilibrium and harmony
Promotes self- healing.
Removes negative blocks from the mind and toxins
from the body
Enhances Personal power
Increases self-awareness
Helps in attention focus and concentration, especially
important for children.
Reduces stress and tension in the physical body by
activating the parasympathetic nervous system
Ashtanga yoga or eight limbed yoga is the
most ancient form of yogic practice.
The eight steps are - Five universal principles
of human conduct, five universal practices
and attributes for unleashing human
potential, yogic postures, yogic breathing
techniques, interiorization, concentration of
mind and energy, meditation and attaining
cosmic consciousness.
1. Yama, which means social
restraints or ethical values;
2. Niyama, which is personal
observance of purity, tolerance, and
study;
3. Asanas or physical exercises;
4. Pranayama, which means breath
control or regulation;
5. Pratyahara or sense
withdrawal in preparation
for Meditation;
6. Dharana, which is about
concentration;
7. Dhyana, which means
Meditation; and
8. Samadhi, which means
ecstasy.
This form of yogic practice is for
those persons who are already
evolved practitioners and who
have disciplined their body and
mind in the science of yoga.
The yoga of action is for those persons
who need to balance their active life in
society, organization and family with
their spiritual life. After devoting a few
hours to deep and focused yoga practice,
the rest of the time is devoted to one's
duties in a conducive environment. 
The yoga of devotion is more suitable for
persons with devotional temperaments. On
another side, yoga of devotion is also used
an approach to induce the externally
diverted mind to focus and realign it to
deeper practices. Women have great
passion and feeling and emotions so they
are more devotional in their temperament
and are naturally fit for yoga of devotion.
Hatha yoga is based on yoga postues,
breathing techniques and yoga mudra or
yogic gestures.
These practices help in getting rid of
diseases and disorders, enhances health and
well being and purifies the subtle channels of
vital force so that one can easily practice
higher forms of yogic practices.
Many times the word yoga is
attached to several prominent
practices of different kinds of
yoga. So they are not actually
some individual forms of yoga.
This practice has been used to
emphasize their practice and
their relevance.
BENEFITS:
reduced stress smoking cessation
sound sleep
help
reduced cortisol levels
lower heart rate
allergy and asthma
symptom relief spiritual growth
increased strength and sense of well-
flexibility
slowed aging process
being
reduced anxiety
and muscle
tension
REFERENCES:
http://www.yogafinder.com/,
http://www.yogajournal.com/OnlineDirect
ory/
http://www.abc-of-yoga.com/yoga-
centers.asp
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoga
http://www.yogajournal.com/basics/2323
http://yoga.about.com/od/beginningyoga/
a/whatisyoga.htm