What is Yoga? The classical techniques of Yoga date back more
than 5,000 years. In ancient times, the desire for greater
personal freedom, health and long life, and heightened self-
understanding gave birth to this system of physical and mental
exercise which has since spread throughout the world. The word
Yoga means “to join or yoke together,” and it brings the body
and mind together into one harmonious experience. The whole
system of Yoga is built on three main structures: exercise,
breathing, and meditation. The exercises of Yoga are designed to
put pressure on the glandular systems of the body, thereby
increasing its efficiency and total health. The body is looked
upon as the primary instrument that enables us to work and
evolve in the world, and so a Yoga student treats it with great
care and respect. Breathing techniques are based on the concept
that breath is the source of life in the body. The Yoga student
gently increases breath control to improve the health and
function of both body and mind. These t