Although people associate yoga with only exercises or asanas as they are commonly called, yoga is of many types. The most popular type is Hatha Yoga.

This type of yoga contains various types of asanas and is beneficial in improving the body strength and flexibility. Karma yoga teaches you the way of right action without expecting the fruits of labour and offering the activity as the service to almighty. You learn devotion and unconditional love for the divine by Bhakti Yoga. Answer to your deeper questions like: who am I, Where do I come from, - come from Jnana Yoga. Control your mind and be free from worldly attachments by practicing Raja Yoga. Kundalini Yoga releases the energy present in the chakras or energy centers in your body by teaching you deep breathing. Tantric Yoga worships the feminine energy and teaches you to look at your body as a source of divine.

Unlike modern day exercises, which concentrate only on the body or on the mind, yoga techniques provide a holistic approach towards your welfare. Asanas help you to improve your strength and flexibility, so that you can carry out your daily activities unhindered Deep breathing techniques help in removal of toxins in the body and aid in relaxation. Yoga can be a great weight loss and toning tool. It helps in healing and nourishing the body. Meditation calms your mind and gives you clarity of thought.

The major benefit of yoga is that it doesn't need any special place or equipment or clothes. All you need is mat and loose fitting clothes. Thus you can practice yoga even when you are away from your home.

Yoga can be practiced at any time of the day. Choosing to practice in the morning energizes you and the relaxed, soothing practice helps to wind up in the evening The room should be airy, clean and well lit. Avoid air conditioners. Play soft music or yoga cassettes and keep incense sticks in the room to clean the air. If possible, keep some flowers in the room. Tips for great yoga practice

Yoga can be practiced at any time of the day. Choosing to practice in the morning energizes you and the relaxed, soothing practice helps to wind up in the evening. The room should be airy, clean and well lit. Avoid air conditioners. Play soft music or yoga cassettes and keep incense sticks in the room to clean the air If possible, keep some flowers in the room.

Adopt a positive attitude. Set manageable goals. Start with simple exercises and as you progress, increase your intensity. Record your progress so that you can note down your experiences, thoughts and anything else. Practice yoga on an empty stomach or 3 hours after a meal. Avoid smoking, drinking, drugs, non-veg and fried foods. Keep your meals simple. Do your practice at the time convenient to you. But mornings till 9.00 am are preferable since they are neither too hot nor cold.

Legend has it that the science of Yoga was first expounded by Lord Shiva who taught more than 8,40,000 asanas (postures). The first reference to Yoga appears in the Rig Veda. However it was the great saint Patanjali who first systematised it in his Yoga Sutras. Patanjali spoke of 8 Limbs of Yoga which include ethical disciplines (yama and niyama), physical postures and breathing (asana and pranayama) and meditative withdrawl and concentration (pratyahara, dharana and dhyana). These culminate in samadhi, the state of ultimate bliss.

It was Hatha yogis like Matseyendranath who laid emphasis on physical purification through posture, breath expansion and internal cleansing (kriya). They believed that unless the physical and subtle bodies were first purified and strengthened through these methods, one could never reach true meditative awareness. It is important to remember, therefore, that the postures of Yoga were never meant as an end in themselves, nor for mere physical fitness; they were always the stepping stones to the real goal of spiritual realisation.

Hatha Yoga works on several levels at once. On the physical level, it makes our bodies strong, balanced and light, and rejuvenates tired limbs. Internal organs are massaged and toned, and vital glands like the thyroid and parathyriod are made to function properly. At the psychic level, we become more relaxed and more aware. Through the practice of awareness-in-movement, we become able to observe our minds and bodies, and become less implicated in our inner turmoil.

This growing awareness naturally leads one to meditation. At the emotional level, we are able to release harmful emotions and psychological blocks. Emotional wounds leave traces in the body in the form of knots, misalignments and tensions. Through yoga, these emotions are freed to rise to the surface and disappear. It is in this sense that Yoga is a holistic science and treats the individual as a psycho-spiritual and physical whole. Yoga works on all the chakras (energy points).

Yoga is not a religion, but is a powerful technique for self-realisation. It teaches us to live in the present, without worry, stress or anger. We make peace with ourselves, and from this inner harmony, comes peace in our relationships. This makes Yoga of immense relevance to our age. It is our hope at the Universal Yoga Centre that by studying this great science, you may find the true meaning of life, and go on to make the world a better place. May you be well and happy !

Yoga is a series of exercises that is performed to improve health and flexibility. People of any age, sex or any fitness level can practice yoga. The beauty of yoga is that it is highly flexible, so you can modify yoga techniques to meet your need. If you have mobility problems, use chair to perform yoga. Office-goers can try the deep-breathing practices to relieve their stress.

Sportsmen and physically active people can use the strengthening techniques to enhance their activities. Children can increase their attention span by using yoga techniques. Seniors can use yoga techniques to improve the body mobility and the flexibility of their joints. Doctors recommend yoga practices for the people with cardiac problems.