| society is much faster paced that ever before. | | | | the individual and universal consciousness. In other |
| People have more stress problems which lead to | | | | words, yoga is the union with the Individual Self |
| more health problems, mental and physical. There | | | | and the Universal Self. Yoga predates all other |
| are more concerns with toxicity in the food we | | | | religions and has influenced and inspired many |
| eat and the air we breathe. Millions of Americans | | | | other traditions and philosophies. Yoga is better |
| today live a sedentary lifestyle, which is | | | | understood as a union of the physical, |
| associated with obesity. The body, the cavities of | | | | physiological, mental, emotional, and intellectual |
| our soul, was not meant to deteriorate in such a | | | | bodies, which leads to a purposeful and balanced |
| way that leads to disease. Yoga was developed | | | | life. |
| over 5,000 years ago in India and it included | | | | There is simply no other discipline quite like yoga |
| spiritual beliefs, physical techniques, and scholarly | | | | because it utilized the body, mind and spirit, all in |
| philosophy. | | | | one practice. Yoga is indeed a spiritual path that is |
| There is a growing trend to practicing Yoga for | | | | based on ancient sacred philosophy, but one does |
| many different reasons, which include attaining the | | | | not need to make an ethical decision when |
| yoga body or physique, relaxation and peace of | | | | practicing yoga, rather finding your own path is |
| mind, or to prevent injury and ailments. Americans | | | | wholly accepted. The holistic benefits of yoga are |
| mainly practice Hatha Yoga, which focuses on | | | | suitable for the young or old, sick or well, with |
| postures and stretching the body. | | | | any religious background. The secrets of yoga are |
| Yoga, which is derived from the sacred Sanskrit | | | | inwardness, concentration, and purification of mind |
| language of India, meaning *union* or *to yoke or | | | | and body with cleansing thoughts and food. Indian |
| harness*. Yoga is a way or path to | | | | philosophy states that within man is the spirit that |
| transcendence and liberation from the self and the | | | | is the center of everything. *Internal equilibrium is |
| ego by purifying the mind and body. Practicing | | | | the basis and the ground for the higher |
| yoga leads to a union with the mind and body or | | | | illumination,* The cultural Heritage of India (Vol. |