Yoga aims to promote well-being. It looks at the body and mind in a holistic way. All elements are inter-linked; lifestyle, behaviour, the physical being, the mind and the place in the world.

Benefits

Yoga is beneficial in helping many medical conditions, but should not be seen as a therapy for any particular ailment. Recognised benefits include:

-stress relief-yogic breathing practices help to lower stress and therefore improve sleep and overall happiness. Fatique is also lowered and the body and mind feel invigorated. Those practicing yoga feel relaxed.

-anti-aging-with improved sleep and happiness, the skin also improves. It has been said that the face glows and the eyes sparkle!

-weight-loss-some types of yoga may not raise the heart rate enough to lose weight, such as lyengar yoga, inwhich positions are held for several minutes, with rest periods. it needs to be combined with other cardio-vascular exercise such as running or walking. However, ashtanga or vinyasa yoga will give an excellent cardio-vascular workout, aiding in weight loss.

-memory improvement-the mind becomes clearer and more alert. This aids in the retention of information and so is especially beneficial for students, those in the work force and those needing to be alert.

-illness reduction-you may find you suffer from fewer colds and other types of infection.

-body strength, toning and flexibility-muscles are built up and posture is improved. Whilst not a cure, these improvements may assist those with arthritis, bone conditions, and the elderly to maintain greater movement and with less pain. Those in a sedentary lifestyle could also benefit.

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To make your body fit there are many exercise, many equipments, and also medicines. But if want your body fit and fine without any trainer, without ant equipments and medicines. Then there is only way by Yoga. Here I am describing you some features and explanation about yoga.

What is Yoga?

The word Yoga comes from Sanskrit. It is a Hindu traditional way of exercise by which we can make control on our body and mind. By doing yoga we can make our body physical and mentally strong. If you do yoga 45 minutes a day after doing that I can surely tell you that your mind and body feel relax. Now there is short information about types of Yoga.

Types of Yoga Position:

Free Spirit

Vinyasa yoga

Gym Rat
Bikram or Hot yoga
Power Yoga
Vinyasa Yoga

Gymnast
Ashtanga Yoga
Forrest Yoga

Injured
Iyengar Yoga

Mellow
Hatha Yoga
Integral Yoga
Kripalu Yoga

Self  motivated
Ashtanga Yoga

Singer
Jivamukti Yoga
Kundalini Yoga

Spiritual Seeker
Anusara Yoga
Jivamukti Yoga
Kundalini Yoga

Traditionalist
Iyengar Yoga
Ashtanga Yoga
Integral Yoga
Kripalu Yoga
Kundalini Yoga

Most Popular types of yoga:

Raja Yoga  It is Royal Yoga running from the time of king. It is a special Yoga for your mind (dyana) to make it relax. Sit in any position and close your eyes and do meditation. It makes your whole body and mind relax. Do it 45 minutes in one day.
Hatha Yoga Hatha yoga is widely performed in America. It uses body position (asanas), breathing style (pranayama), and Meditation (dyana). This yoga makes you physically and mentally strong.
Iyengar Yoga It is a form of Hatha Yoga, is completely giving primacy to the physical alignment of the body.
Bikram or Hot Yoga Bikram yoga is developed by Bikram choudhury. This Yoga is performing in hot room. This yoga systemically for wellness and restoration. There are 26 different poses in Bikram Yoga.
Pregnancy or Prenatal Yoga  This yoga is performing during the time of women pregnancy to make her body fit and in shape. It also best yoga for your baby. We enjoy performing this yoga in pregnancy period.
Laughter or Hasya Yoga  Hasya Yoga is physical oriented methods that remove your tension, out of this world and place in new world of peace. During this yoga people laugh for 30 to 40 minutes with noise of clapping and Ha Ha. People perform this yoga to make their mind free from their personal tension.
Ashtanga Yoga  Ashtanga yoga is a yoga therapy, realigns the spine, detoxifies the body, and builds strength, flexibility and stamina.

Following are the eight limbs of Ashtanga Yoga:

Yama (Restraints or Abstinence)
Niyama (Disciplines or Devotion)
Asanas ( Pose of Yoga)
Pranayama (Breath Control)
Pratyahara (Retraction of the Senses)
Dharana ( Fix of Attention)
Dyana (Meditation)
8. Samadhi (Deep Trance)

Yoga refers to traditional physical and mental disciplines originating in India. It focuses upon developing a healthy mind and body, and on attaining self-awareness. The various practices and disciplines of yoga are available to everyone, no matter what their culture or other paths they may follow. Yoga practice also involves developing awareness on a universal and personal level through the yamas and niyamas, a series of ethics and disciplines intended to cultivate living in harmony with others and in oneness with our true selves.

Yoga has been practiced for thousands of years and consists of ancient theories, observations and principles regarding the connection of the mind with the body. The ancient Indian sage systemized yoga philosophy into eight paths or limbs: yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana, samadhi. These limbs each express a different aspect of yoga and combined make up the path or yoga practice that unites the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual levels of our being.

Yama – Yama are ethical disciplines that relate to how we can live in a shared world with peace and integrity. Niyama – These disciplines relate to the individual and focus on living a healthy, fulfilled and masterful life. Asana – The word asana means ‘to be’, in the sense of being in a posture. The asanas were developed for the maintenance of a healthy mind and body, with each posture affecting the body, mind and emotions in a unique way and working as a pathway to balance and wellbeing. Pranayama – In the practice of pranayama, we develop breathing techniques that increase oxygen intake and strengthen lung capacity while also increasing the absorption of prana, or life force. In its simplest form, pranayama involves deep, full breathing. Dharana – Following on from pratyahara, dharana is the ability to be completely internally absorbed and focused. This practice of single-pointed concentration stills the mind and leads to profound quietness within. Dhyana – Following on from dharana is dhyana, or meditation – sitting where there is no focus, just stillness; no thoughts, only emptiness. Samadhi – In this state of absolute personal freedom there is union of the individual soul with the universal soul. It is the practice of living at one with all that is.

With regular yoga practice of yoga, you will get strength, flexibility and good health, the benefits of which flow into all aspects of life. Increased energy levels bring a new perspective on life, the increased feelings of self-love and inspiration lead us to discover talents and interests we never knew existed and problems that once seemed overwhelming become more manageable.