There is no single definition of yoga, but we can break the word into its origins. “Yoga” is derived from the Sanskrit root yuj which means “union” or “connection”—to connect mind, body, and spirit. In fact, it allows us to connect to anything: object, person, or experience. Yoga is neither physical exercise; nor spiritual enlightenment—instead, it is a lifestyle. As a result, centuries and centuries of reform of yoga has altered it to the needs of individuals.
Yoga was initially not intended as a physical exercise but as a system of healing, with special emphasis on the mind. Today, most people associate yoga with asanas. While asanas are an integral part of yoga, they are just one of many tools used for healing individuals. Other tools of yoga address all the dimension of the human system: body, breath, mind, personality, and emotions.