Yoga

Technically, yoga refers to a large family of ancient spiritual practices that originated in India as part of Ayurveda.  For the modern proponent of holistic health, however, yoga is largely divorced from it spiritual roots. Instead the basic elements of yoga's postures, breathing exercises and meditative approaches are practiced as a way of enhancing health, reducing stress, and preventing disease.

Its popularity today is evident by its availability in hospitals, health clubs, and community colleges and by the availability of many popular books and e-books on the practice of yoga.

While the practice of yoga does not cure any particular disease, its positive effects are numerous. Practitioners of yoga generally experience  increased levels of fitness, lowered blood pressure, and reduced anxiety. As a result, yoga is often a useful complement to conventional medical therapies.  For example, research suggests that yoga may helpful in the management of heart disease by reducing blood pressure and lowering cholesterol.  Yoga may also help in the management of asthma and various forms of chronic pain (see Research page).

You can read more general information about the practice of yoga in the pages listed to the right, or by browsing the miscellaneous yoga articles included on this site.