The word 'Yoga' is derived from the Sanskrit root 'yuj', meaning to bind/join, union, to 'yoke' the powers of the body, mind and soul.

Yoga has evolved over a period of more than 5,000 years and is one of the six orthodox systems of Indian philosophy. The purpose of Yoga is to maximize one's own potential - a deliverance from contact with pain or sorrow.

As a well cut diamond has many facets, each reflecting a different color of light, so does the word 'yoga', each facet reflecting a different shade of meaning and revealing different aspects of the entire range of human endeavor to win inner peace and happiness.

Asanas (postures) exercise every muscle, nerve and gland in the body and secure a fine, toned, strong and flexible physique, helping to keep the body free from "dis-ease", reducing fatigue, soothing the nerves and training and disciplining the mind.

The practice of asanas tone the entire body, reduce stress and remove toxins and impurities. Yoga is a very important science of health. It is a powerful and effective method of therapy that works on the principles of harmony and unification. Taking into account the interrelationship of all the organs and systems in the body, if any of the organs or systems of the body are not coordinating with each other, then not just one, but all the systems and organs are imbalanced. Asanas and Pranayama are powerful and effective ways of controlling and harmonizing the whole body.

As well as being designed to allow energy to flow freely through the entire body, asanas can develop an attitude of non-attachment. The ability to do one posture and not another is not a reflection on one's ability as a Yogi. The attitude should be that you are much more than your body.

Yoga is a way of life. As the sun opens a flower delicately, unfolding it little by little, so yoga opens the body through careful training. When the body is open, the heart is open. The more we accumulate, the more we demand, and the thing that would make us 'really happy' recedes at least as fast as our advance towards it. The only happiness worth the name is the natural happiness of conscious being.