According to Patangali’s yoga sutras, “yogish chitta vritti nirodaha” or “yoga is the complete elimination of various modifications of the mind.” This is one of those answers that tends to create more questions than quiet them.

Who’s this Patangali fellow? What’s a sutra? What language was that?
Slowly, slowly. It will all come in time.

To be honest, yoga doesn’t have to mean much of anything more than what works for the practitioner. For the Average Jogi, the true meaning of yoga will reveal itself and continue to change as their practice does.

Let’s jump right in:

Fom purely an etymological perspective, the word yoga is a derivation of the Sanskrit word ‘yuj’, which means to yoke or bind. Essentially, yoga means ‘union’. This practice can be seen as a medium to bring together and balance a variety of elements through self-practice, discipline, and devotion.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” you might be thinking to yourself, “Devotion? Self-practice? Dude, I just wanted to try something else besides running and lifting weights, and thought yoga would be a cool thing to try. what’s up with that?”

Relax, bro. Yoga is a very cool thing to try. Stay with me here.

Yoga—everyday yoga that is offered in gyms and yoga studios— is a system of movements called asanas that have been developed to open the physical body, increasing  flexibility and building strength.  There is a mat involved, upon which you will sweat and be asked to tuck and twist various parts of your anatomy in various directions in the company of others doing the same. Yoga is arguably the oldest version of twister known to man. When used in conjunction with the breath, these asanas help deepen the connection with the body while quieting the mind. as the practice deepens, the opportunity to connect with the spiritual body becomes possible.

Let us not, however, ‘yuj’ the cart before the horse.

If you wish to draw a straight line between two points, you need a ruler. Yoga can help to locate and develop balance and symmetry in the mind, body and soul. In order to do this, it helps to first be open to making the connection and then find the right help to make it happen. This means you’ll have to form an opinion from personal experience.

Opinions are like asanas—everybody has a favorite one. Keep practicing until you find one that works for you.

Time to choose a yoga class!