Yoga
Medically reviewed by: Mary L. Gavin, MD
What Is Yoga?
It might seem like a modern trend, but yoga actually began more than 3,000 years ago in India. The word yoga is Sanskrit (an ancient language of India). It means to "yoke," join, or unite, the mind, body, and spirit.
Yoga includes physical exercise, but it's also about life balance. Training your mind, body, and breath — as well as connecting with your spirituality — are the main goals of the yoga lifestyle.
The physical part of the yoga lifestyle is called hatha yoga. Hatha yoga includes asanas, or poses. Hatha yoga also refers to a style of yoga that is slower paced and focuses on alignment and breath.