Understanding Yoga - the road to a healthy life !

In India Yoga has been in existence as system of physical exercise since very ancient time. India's ancient saints established that there are 8 stages involved in Yoga.

These 8 stages are as follows :

• Yama meaning Social Discipline
• Niyama meaning Individual Discipline
• Asana meaning Postures
• Pranayama meaning Breathe Control
• Pratyahara meaning Mental Discipline
• Dharana meaning Concentration
• Dhyana meaning Meditation
• Samadhi meaning Self Realization

For a person to cleanse his tubular channels it is requisite of him to observe the disciplines of Yama and Niyama. This could help him attain alertness of mind along side excellent health. This is also one of the ways of experiencing mental ecstasy. 

Yoga could also be practiced to cure certain mental and physical ailments. The asanas do have their theraeutic use.