Yoga
The word yoga, from the Sanskrit word yuj means to yoke or bind and is often interpreted as "union" and has been referred to by Hindu Indians as a path to God.The yoga path to God has 8 aspects; restraints, observances, postures, breathing, withdrawal of senses, concentration, meditation and absorption. As we follow this path, we refine our behavior in the outer world as we begin to focus more inwardly until we reach liberation or enlightenment.
Today most people practicing yoga are engaged in the program of physical postures, which were designed to purify the body and provide the physical strength and stamina that is required for long periods of meditation. An unfortunate side effect of this western adoption of the Indian Path to God is that it tends to create focused yoga communities that miss the greater opportunity for the spiritual opening that the path of yoga offers.
When Yoga is practiced primarily as a low impact fitness routine then the benefits provided would equal that of any similar fitness activity including weight loss, stress relief, improved immunity, better flexibility, posture and energy. A extra benefit from Yoga is that it uses key postures for clearing energy lines in the body and this provides opportunities for emotional clearing and healing as well as spiritual insights.