Yoga is an ancient method of uniting the body and mind to reach enlightenment. It is thought to have originated as a Hindu practice but later became popular in Buddhism as well. Yoga is not merely the physical actions and positions, called asanas, as most Westerners believe. Instead, yoga is living a life of devotion to studying philosophy and beliefs, meditating, performing breathing exercises and cleansing the physical body, all in addition to the physical practice of the asanas. The spiritual goal of yoga is for humans to realize their nature as part of the whole. This goal is derived from the basic beliefs of Hinduism.

According to archaeologists and yoga scholars, images of yoga asanas and postures have been found on ceramics in the Indus River basin of India which depict yoga asanas and postures as early as 3000 BCE. By the second century BCE, Indian philosopher Patanjali had created a book called Yoga Sutras which described the basics of raja, or kingly, yoga.  This, the most common and most complex form of yoga, is the yoga from which most other forms were later derived.  When Buddhism was created by India's Prince Siddhartha Gautama, he included yoga as a common practice in the religion. As Buddhist monks travelled into China, they brought with them both their religion and their yogic practices.

There are nine different systems or types of yoga which have been created to fit the personalities of different people who decide to participate in yoga. While each of the yogic methods differ slightly, the ultimate goals are relatively the same.

          •Raja yoga: This original form of yoga focuses on mastery of the mind.  While asanas are practiced, the spiritual goal is much more important to this yoga.
          •Hatha yoga: The form of yoga which focuses mainly on the physical mastery is called hatha yoga.  Hatha yoga focuses on stretching, flexing, and balancing the body [asanas], cleansing the internal body [kriyas], and special breathing excercises [pranayama].  The combination of all these physical activities begin the process of reaching a higher level physically, and ultimately also spiritually.
          •Mantra yoga: Mantra yoga concentrates on the repetition of syllables and phrases called mantras to achieve spiritual oneness with the universe.
          •Yantra yoga: Yantra yoga focuses on using visual images as means for concentrating to influence the brain.
          •Kundalini yoga: Kundalini yoga, also known as laya yoga, attempts to harness energy through the image of a kundalini, or serpent, moving through the spiritual centers, or chakras, which are located throughout the body.
          •Jhana yoga: Jhana yoga concentrates on using the study of philosophy and meditation as the means to achieve enlightenment.
          •Bhakti yoga: Bhakti yoga focuses on living a life devoted to the higher power.
          •Karma yoga: Karma yoga concentrates on living a life dedicated to selflessly helping others.
          •Tantric yoga: Tantric yoga emphasizes the union of male and female aspects of the universal energy.