Yoga is a traditional physical and mental discipline which has origin in India. Yoga involves meditative practices in Buddhism and Hinduism. In Hinduism, it is one of the six schools of Hindu philosophy. In Jainism it refers to the sum total of mental, verbal and physical activities. Yoga is a Sanskrit word which means to control or to unite.

 The person who follows the yoga is sometimes referred to as yogi. One need not change his lifestyle to practice yoga. Yoga is not a religion. Yoga doesn't require fasting. There is no boundation on type of food and smoking as well as drinking. In simple words yoga is the ability to focus the mind on a single point without distraction.

There are various poses for the yoga which are also termed as Aasanas. Some of them are –

• Akarshana Dhanurasana
• Anantasana
• Ardha Halasana
• Ardha Matsyendrasana
• Ardha Padmasana
• Ardha Shalabhasana
• Baddha Konasana
• Baddha Padmasana
• Bhadrasana
• Bhujangasana
• Chakrasana
• Dandasana
• Dhanurasana
• Gomukhasana
• Halasana
• Januhastasana
• Janusirasana
• Makarasana
• Mandukasana
• Matsyasana
• Naukasana
• Oordhwa Pada Hastasan
• Padahastasana
• Padmasana
• Parvatasana
• Paschimotanasana
• Pavanamuktasana
• Purna Titali Asana
• Samasana
• Sarvangasana
• Sasankasana
• Savasana
• Shalabhasana
• Siddhasana
• Sirshasana
• Sukhasana
• Supta Udarakarshanasana
• Supta Vajrasana
• Talasana
• Trikonasana
• Urdhvamukha Svanasana
• Ushtrasana
• Utkatasana
• Uttanapadasana
• Vajrasana
• Vakrasana
• Veerasana
• Viparita Karani
• Vrikshasana

Benefits of yoga

• Physical and mental therapy
• Yoga carries a substantial benefit in arthritis, arteriosclerosis, chronic fatigue, diabetes, AIDS, asthma and obesity.
• Yoga cures and prevents back pain
• Yoga increases fat burning by the body
• Regular yoga practice leads to mental clarity and calmness
• Yoga can enhance cognitive performance