The word Yoga comes from Sanskrit, the scriptural language of ancient India. Its root is the verb yuj, meaning to yoke or unite. Yoga unites us with ourselves, our surroundings and the Divine. The yoga practiced by most Westerners is Hatha yoga, or the physical yoga. Yoga postures when applied consciously, encourage concentration, inner stillness, perseverance, patience, self- acceptance, objective self-observation and a sense of humor, all of which benefit the mind and overall health. Hatha Yoga focuses mainly on one of the eight limbs of yoga: restraints (yamas), observances (niyamas), posture (asanas), breath control (pranayama), sensory inhibition (pratyahara), concentration (dharana), meditation (dhyana) and absorption (samadhi). A consistent practice of these eight elements leads to deeper experiences of awareness until consciousness is transcended in the bliss state of ecstasy...doesn't that sound great? For most of us, ecstasy is a long way off—but if you want to get there, you have to start somewhere.