Yoga for Health Fitness and Weight Loss

The word yoga means "union" in Sanskrit, the language of ancient India where yoga originated. Yoga then is about the union of the mind, body and spirit (soul). What is commonly referred to as "yoga" can be more accurately described by the Sanskrit word “asana”, which refers to the practice of physical postures or poses. Asana is only one of the eight "limbs" of yoga, the majority of which are more concerned with mental and spiritual well-being than physical activity. In the West, however, the words asana and yoga are often used interchangeably. Ancient Yogis had a belief that in order for man to be in harmony with himself and his environment, he has to integrate the body, the mind, and the spirit. For these three to be integrated, emotion, action, and intelligence must be in balance. The Yogis formulated a way to achieve and maintain this balance and it is done through exercise, breathing, and Meditation - the three main Yoga structures. In Y...