Yoga is a combination of exercise and meditation rooted in Hindu religious practices. It has been practiced in Eastern cultures for about 5,000 years and has fairly lately been “discovered” and popularized in Western society.

The word yoga means “to bring together or merge” – as in joining the mind and body into a single harmonious unit.

The purpose of yoga is to develop strength, awareness, and harmony in both the mind and body.

More than one hundred different types, or schools, of yoga exist; most sessions are usually comprised of breathing exercises, meditation, and assuming postures (sometimes called poses) that stretch and flex various muscle groups.

According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine of the National Institutes of Health, relaxation techniques, like those practiced in yoga, can

• lessen chronic pain, like lower back pain, arthritis, headaches, and carpal tunnel syndrome

• lower blood pressure and heart and breathing rates

• reduce insomnia

Students of yoga also typically report

• higher levels of energy

• lowered levels of stress and anxiety

• increased feelings of general well-being

Because there are so many kinds of yoga practices, individuals with movement restrictions or other physical challenges can find a kind that meets their needs and abilities.

For more information about different methods of yoga and how to pick the one for you, take a look at the American Yoga Association web site.