Mind-Body Treatment: Yoga

What is Yoga?
Yoga arrived in the U.S. from India in the late 1800s, where it has been part of religious philosophy for more than 5,000 years. Most of us think of yoga as exercise, but in India, yoga is a life discipline. Yoga students learn moral and ethical development, postures called asanas, breathing patterns, meditation, self-discipline, and spiritual teachings. Teachers called gurus share wisdom and yoga practices with their students.

Today in the U.S., you can choose from many types of yoga and most have been changed for Americans. Hatha, Iyengar, Astanga, Kripalu, Bikram, and Kundalini are common forms that can be done by new or advanced students. A good yoga teacher will support change in your own time—you don't have to be able to become a pretzel on the first day.