Increasingly popular in the West, Yoga is the ancient art of unifying the mind, body and spirit through physical and mental discipline.

Yoga originated in India over 5,000 years ago where it was practiced and taught by yogis' as a tool for physical, mental and spiritual enlightenment. The word Yoga' comes from Sanskrit and means union', the central belief being that health and well-being are derived from physical, mental and spiritual harmony.

The increased popularity of Yoga in the West can be attributed to the need to counter the stresses of modern-day life. In the high pressured environment in which most of us live, Yoga offers an alternative approach to health based on five basic principles exercise, breathing, relaxation, diet and meditation. Yogic practices demand self-discipline, but perseverance can lead to a profound sense of well-being and contentment.

There are five main forms of Yoga, each have a slightly different emphasis on the mental, spiritual or physical aspects.

Hatha Yoga: Yoga of vitality Increasingly popular in the West, the emphasis of Hatha Yoga is on physical poses and breathing control.

Bhakti Yoga: Yoga of love A devotional form of Yoga, Bhakti teaches that love and virtue purifies the mind and spirit, leading to unity with the divine. Prayer, chanting, worship and meditation are practiced to turn negative feelings into positive devotion.

Karma Yoga: Yoga of selfless action Karma Yoga has a philosophical focus, teaching that to serve others without seeking reward purifies the mind and body.

Jnana Yoga: Yoga of knowledge This is an intellectual approach to Yoga and involves the study of ancient scriptures to gain insight into the truth and lift the veils of illusion.

Raja Yoga: Royal' or Highest Path' of Yoga Through meditation, Raja Yoga releases our mental and psychic abilities and promotes lasting peace. Concentration, physical exercise and breathing control are all integral to this ancient form of Yoga.

The five principles of Yoga, exercise, breathing, meditation, relaxation and diet, aim to promote physical, mental and spiritual harmony and well-being.

The word asana' literally means steady pose' and is used to describe the physical exercises in Yoga. Consisting of various stretching movements, the asanas are designed to increase flexibility and strength, improve the circulation of blood and prana (energy) around the body, and massage the internal organs and glands.

Requiring concentration

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