Yoga is one of the major identities of ancient Indian existence. It is the science that helped India emerge as ‘The Golden Bird’ and ‘Vishwaguru’ (world teacher) in the past. Lor Shiva, among the great deities of Hinduism, most personifies the practice of yoga. As Yogeshwar, the great lord of yoga. He ruled over all aspects of yoga relative to body, mind and consciousness. After the lord, it was the Vedic sages and hermits who are considered as the pioneers of yoga. Later on. Lord Krishna, Lord Budha and Lord Mahavira gave their inputs to this vast fields. Sage Patanjali collected materials about Yoga and inputs from these great personalities and compiled the Yoga Sutras in around 400 CE. The Yoga Sutra proved to be a boon for mankind.

What is Yoga? Well most of us would like to answer this question as an old sage or yogi sitting in a meditative position. In fact, most people consider yoga as a technique involving some hard to enact mudras and bending /twisting body parts in a certain way. Younger generation considers yoga as a form of exercise fit for older people.

However, yoga does not have anything to do with age, religion, or practicing a specific asana. In fact, it is a scientific method which unites us with us. Yoga is not just an asana practiced by any individual to target a body part but a technique that facilities ‘union’, individual to target a body part but a technique that facilities ‘union’. The word ‘Yoga’ comes from the Sanskrit root ‘yuj’, which means ‘to join’ or ‘to yoke’. Yoga is a practical aid, not a religion. Yoga is an ancient art based on a harmonizing system of development for the body, mind and spirit. It simplifies life and adds positivity. Since asanas play a major role in this internal and external union.

The asanas can be classified or categorized in two parts:

• Dhyasana – Meditative Asanas
• Swasthyasana – Asanas for Improving Health.

Some asanas are mainly for practice of meditation, they provide a firm support to the posture and help maintain the body posture for longer time. These are referred to as Dhyanasanas.

The asanas which correct the blood circulation, bring about the ligamentary balance and keep the sinecos in proper order through the ligamentary tension, bring flexibility in the spinal column and enable the bone-marrow to function well are good for health and known as Swathyasanas.

The ultimate goal of yoga is to achieve union between the individual consciousness (atma) and the universal divine (paramaatma). It is not associated with any religion of faith. Yoga is for everyone.

One of the major benefits of yoga is that it is a natural technique to keep the body healthy and with no side effects if practiced in correct way. Many scientific researchers have tested it on individuals and assessed its impact on health before branding it as a natural way to keep body healthy.

Yoga is not only a technique to protect body from various illnesses and serious conditions but also a natural way to treat illness and keep mind tension free under all circumstances. It also unites one with the Almighty and encircles mind and body with divine energy. It is about complete transformation of an individual (physically, mentally and spiritually).

Although mind and body are two different aspects of body, these are deeply connected with each other. Both have direct influence on each other. On a deeper perspective, human beings are nothing more than a beautiful and strong combination of mind and body. There is something that controls our mind and body. It can be referred to as the soul, divine power or consciousness.

Yoga keeps one’s body, mind and spirit healthy. The connection of spirit with mind and body is disturbed under the influence of a physical ailment or mental stress. Yoga plays a crucial role in maintaining a healthy balance and union between mind, body and spirit. It keeps all of these three major elements healthy and strong. Yoga boosts body’s resistance against various diseases. Hence it can be viewed upon as the universal system for health management.

It is important that the body is pure and clean while practicing yoga. Also one should focus on having pure and Satvik food.