For Westerners, it is not so much a form of therapy as a means of achieving a sense of physical and mental well-being. Nevertheless, there is a mass of evidence to show that yoga can have a beneficial effect on a variety of conditions, for example, high blood pressure, and specific exercises are becoming increasingly popular in the treatment of a number of different diseases. Yoga's purpose is to strengthen the body and make it more flexible, as well as awaken the spirit - in effect, to provide a physical, mental and spiritual system of health. It is a very profound subject and although the exercises are hard work, yoga is gentle because your mind and heart are involved. When the exercises and postures are practiced regularly, it tones muscles and improves posture, movement and balance.
Yoga can help reduce blood pressure and improve the efficiency of the lungs.
People of all ages can do yoga, and the asanas can even be adapted for people with disabilities or special needs. Almost anyone can benefit from yoga, including the elderly, children, pregnant women, and those with chronic health problems. However, people with health problems should not perform certain movements. We participate in the flow of prana when we breathe, hence breathing that is consciously modified plays an important part in the practice of yoga. Yoga breathing exercises, Pranayama, are fundamental to inner harmony and health.