Today, yoga has become very popular as a form of physical exercise with a focus mainly on  the practice of asanas (yoga postures). Many are also taking up the practices of pranayama (yoga breathing) and meditation.
 
The practice and goal of yoga dates back to the Upanishads, written between 1000-5000 BC. The goal of yoga is union of the individual soul with the universal consciousness.

The  practice of yoga therefore is much more than a system of physical exercises for health. Yoga is an ancient path to spiritual growth, and originates out of India where Induism is practiced. Yoga is a complete spiritual discipline and way of life.  

Attainment of the goal of yoga is assisted by persistent practice of the “eight limbs” of yoga, of “ashtanga” yoga (ashta = eight, anga = limb). The eight limbs of yoga are as follows:

Yama - Restraints

Niyama - Observances

Asana – Yoga postures

Pranayama – Yoga breathing techniques

Pratyahara – Withdrawal of senses

Dharana -Concentration

Dhyana - Meditation

Samadhi – A state of one-ness with all that is.

 Each step on the eight-limbed ladder of yoga helps the yoga practitioner to attain the next step.

Yoga embraces diet and lifestyle, offering dietary recommendations and lifestyle recommendations to support the spiritual practices.

However as asana practice does work on mental-emotional and spiritual levels as well as the physical level, attending a yoga asana class is very likely to start to send ripple affects out into a yoga practitioner’s whole life. Joining an asana class for physical fitness, or to reduce stress has changed the lives of many. Many soon start to want to embrace more of the benefits and changes that yoga brings to life. They adapt their lifestyles according to the teachings of yoga. A thirst develops to go deeper into the practices of yoga and to taste more of the bliss that yoga practice brings to our lives.

And for those who choose to practice yoga asanas for physical fitness only, this too is perfectly good. They choose a method of maintaining physical fitness which is safe, reduces stress levels, benefits all the organ systems of the body, increases physical strength and flexibility, improves mental concentration, and raises the levels of vitality in the body and the mind.