A traditional Yoga master who teaches disciples is known as a guru . The Sanskrit word for disciple is shishya . In the West, Yoga is most commonly equated with the physical exercises adopted from Hatha-Yoga .
Yoga is only one of Yoga's many branches.
Yoga can be pursued as a mere fitness system or as a comprehensive life style involving body, mind, and spirit. Depending on how you approach Yoga, you will to various degrees unlock its potential as a self-transformative tool. All traditional Yoga is meant to be practiced as a comprehensive life style with the goal of discovering ultimate Reality.