Background

Earliest archaeological evidence of yoga's existence could be found in stone seals which depict figures of yoga poses around 3000 B.C.

The oldest known yoga teachings are found in the oldest sacred scriptures, which are the base of the modern-day Hinduism.  Yoga has continued to evolve through other ancient texts in pre-classical period, the Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra in classical period and more modern literatures in post classical period.

Throughout the history of yoga, particular characteristics of yoga have been appreciated in its efforts to improve the human condition.  Yoga wasn't meant for just giving people hard physical exercise but was meant to offer them a way to balance the stresses of their daily life.  It provides a system of healing towards better health and for a happier life, with an emphasis on the state of mind.

Hatha Yoga is perhaps the path of yoga many people are most familiar with since this is the most popular branch of yoga in the West.  This branch of yoga uses physical poses or Asana, breathing techniques or Pranayama, deep relaxation, and meditation to achieve better health, as well as spirituality.  There are many styles within this path - Iyengar,  Astanga, Sivananda, and Birkram to name a few.

Yoga is an ancient philosophy, discipline, and practice of health and well being.  Its practices can go deeper and more subtle than ‘mere exercise’ caring for all aspects of our being: physical, emotional, mental and spiritual.