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About Yoga
Yoga instructor demonstrates a warrior pose
© Bob Stockfield
Yoga is a mind-body practice in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) with origins in ancient Indian philosophy. The various styles of yoga that people use for health purposes typically combine physical postures, breathing techniques, and meditation or relaxation. There are numerous schools of yoga. Hatha yoga, the most commonly practiced in the United States and Europe, emphasizes postures (asanas) and breathing exercises (pranayama). Some of the major styles of hatha yoga include Iyengar, Ashtanga, Vini, Kundalini, and Bikram yoga. People use yoga for a variety of conditions and to achieve fitness and relaxation.
The 2002 National Health Interview Survey found that yoga is one of the top 10 CAM modalities used. Nearly 8 percent of those surveyed (more than 15.2 million adults) had ever used yoga for health purposes.
Women in yoga class
Courtesy of National Institute on Aging
