Developed in India, yoga is a psycho-somatic discipline with its roots going back over 5,000 years - a thought developed by the Hindu sages in the quietude of the forest and caves. This thought process developed into a grand vision of Vedanta as ideas poured into India's cultural basket from every corner, in every millennia and by every passionate yogi. Sages called it Sanatana Dharma - the eterna
l wisdom. Today, most yoga practices in the West focus on the physical postures called Asanas. However, yoga has much deeper aspects where it helps promote health and happiness at the individual level (Vyashti) to the social level (Samashti). The deeper one delves in the study of yoga, the more one discovers of the diversity and richness of its traditions. The word "yoga" means "union". Traditionally, the goal of yoga has been union with the Absolute, or Brahman, or in other words, Realization of the Self or Atman. The benefits of yoga include improved physical fitness, mental clarity, greater self-understanding, stress control and general well-being. The beauty of yoga practice lies in its versatility, allowing practitioners to focus on the physical, emotional, intellectual, spiritual, or a combination of all these aspects of health and well being. Yoga Bharati welcomes you to discover the treasures of yoga and to join us in our mission of promoting yoga and related activities in the United States of America and around the world.
