Perhaps, one of the best definitions of yoga, as described by Patanjali in his authoritative text, The Yoga Sutra, is a complete stillness of the mind.

Yoga is a union. It is a yoking of all the powers of the mind, the body and the soul with that of a universal power or as some prefer to think of it: the yoking of the individual with it’s true self or true nature.

Yoga is what brings calm amidst a storm. It is a skill in action. From the words of a famous yogi, B.K.S. Iyengar, “When the restlessness of the mind, intellect, and self is stilled through the practice of Yoga, the yogi by the grace of the spirit within himself finds fulfillment.”

Hatha Yoga is the physical practice of yoga that involves creating poses with the body. These physical postures are referred to as asana. Yoga is an eight limb practice, where asana is the third limb and, in the West, perhaps the most commonly known aspect of yoga. A hatha yoga practice not only challenges the body and promotes physical health but it is also a means to calm the mind, create a greater sense of self-awareness and help the practitioner move towards an inner essence of being.

According to the yogis, true happiness, liberation and enlightenment comes from union with the divine consciousness known as Brahman, or with Atman, the transcendent Self. The various yoga practices are a methodology for reaching that goal.

In hatha yoga, for example, postures and breathing exercises help purify the mind, body and spirit so the yogi can attain union.

The short answer is that yoga makes you feel better. Practicing the postures, breathing exercises and meditation makes you healthier in body, mind, and spirit. Yoga lets you tune in, chill out, shape up — all at the same time.