
About Yoga
Yoga means "union" in Sanskrit and has eight different elements of which hatha yoga (physical or active yoga), which Westerners most often use, is just one. In India, the practice of yoga is based on a comprehensive philosophy of man striving for harmony with himself and the world and encompasses breathing, meditation and exercise. In Western countries, it is associated most with the practice of asanas (postures). The sun salutation, or “surya namaskar” as it is known in Sanskrit, is a common yoga exercise in India. In India, yoga has been incorporated into schools, hospitals, prisons and police academies. The Indian government has endorsed an effort to create a library of videos documenting the “correct” ways to strike more than 1,500 poses.
