Yoga is a type religious meditation practice that originated in
India. In other places around the world, Yoga is used as a type of exercise that has both mental and physical benefits. Whatever path you choose to take with Yoga is ultimately up to you. It can be
an art form or a spiritual way of life as well as a good way to exercise. Yoga means "union" in the ancient language of Indians called Sanskrit. It can also sometimes mean "to yoke, or to control".
Asana (one of the eight "limbs of yoga") is the most common form used in the West. Bhakti, Hatha, Jnana, Karma and Raja comprise the major branches of yoga.
Yoga is not usually the type of exercise that is performed for the
physical benefits; it is more performed for spiritual and mental well being. Yoga is about creating balance in the body through specific poses and postures. Poses can be done in quick
succession to pump up the heat in your body or slowly to create stamina and perfection of the pose. Within certain schools of thought such as Shaivism Yoga is done to attain freedom from suffering
and the cycle of birth and death.
The benefits of Yoga can be physical, shaping muscles, gaining
flexibility, strengthening the body, preventing and relieving pain and better breathing.
Yoga also has mental benefits like calming the mind, reducing stress and being aware of your body. You
will gain more strength and greater muscle tone through performing the many poses of Yoga. Many poses require you to use the weight of your body in new ways and use muscles that you may not even
know you had. Some poses require that you move in and out of position slowly which will help with gaining strength Yoga also helps strengthen your
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