Yoga originated in ancient India and the word "yoga" stands for "union" in the language spoken in that country which is Sanskrit. Yoga is a union of sorts because it helps to bring together the mind, body as well as the spirit. Yoga in that way is all encompassing for health and well-being. The word yoga stands for "asana" in Sanskrit, which makes reference to the "practice of physical postures or poses." Asana is one form of yoga that is considered to be one of the "eight limbs" of the ancient practice. It is important to note that most forms of yoga are primarily concerned with both mental ands spiritual well being as opposed to physical accomplishment or activity. The two words, yoga and asana basically mean the same thing and are for all intents and purposes, synonymous with one another.

Yoga involves stretching but there is so much more to it than that. The number one goal of yoga is to create and maintain balance in the body. Yoga does this by way of both developing and improving flexibility and strength. Strength and flexibility are developed by way of very well choreographed poses that each carries with it particular benefits to the physical body. Each pose can be done swiftly and in succession with each other. By doing this, heat is generated through continuous movement and this helps to improve stamina and improve the alignment of every pose done in yoga. Not all yoga instructors agree about the proper way to do each and every pose as some maintain that there is an "ideal" way to go about all of the poses.

Yoga instructors often refer to a person's experience and development through yoga as their "practice" and will sometimes say "your practice." The poses in yoga stay the same but the person who studies and practices yoga will evolve as they go from one stage of development to another. For that reason, yoga never becomes dull or boring and even repetitions of poses are always new and interesting. Yoga is a practice that is not concerned with competition and in that way it encourages humility, acceptance of your strengths, weaknesses and potential as well as letting go of a big ego (for those who have one). Yoga can be done by anyone, regardless of how strong or flexible the person is. It is important to be patient and to give yourself time to get used to the poses and to become familiar and comfortable with yoga. Whatever you do not possess when you begin should develop as time goes by. The saying "practice makes perfect" could definitely apply to the practice of yoga.

Not only will a yoga class focus on particular poses but it will also include a number of other things such as meditation, instructions on the proper way to breathe, inspirational readings and chanting of the call and response variety. How much you learn of the above and to what extent primarily rests on the individual instructor and the particular tradition of yoga in which the person has taken their training.