Yoga can be defined as a mental connection achieved through remembrance. Wherever the mind is focused that can be called a yoga. It is a natural ability of the body to withdraw into itself in the face of external difficulties, which is used in meditation. 5000 years back yoga postures have been found in archeological sites in Indus valley. It is not related to any religion which is universal. The word yoga is derived from Sanskrit word. There are different types of yoga systems introduced in Hindu philosophy such as Raja yoga, karma yoga, Gnana yoga, Bhakthi yoga and Hatha yoga. Nowadays Hatha yoga is getting popular from outside India, which is nothing but asanas and exercises.

The term lotus in yoga refers to the sitting posture of the yoga practitioner in the form of a lotus with the feet resting on opposite thighs to increase the ability to proper breathing technique and meditation posture. This is the famous posture in the Yoga which is originated in Hindu tradition which is often depicted by Lord Shiva who sits in the lotus position and meditating. It gives the straight sitting posture without any leaning or bending thus helping the practitioner in attaining correct posture through yoga. It relieves most of the ailments associated to the spinal cord and knees.

Yoga during pregnancy is practiced to help in safe child birth. Through asanas that help in relaxing the reproductive organs of the practitioner and helping her in preparing her birth canal for the crucial delivery, and through deep breathing relaxation techniques, the physical health is balanced. With the meditation and deep relaxation, the anxiety and neuroses due to change in hormones and the trauma of the child birth are addressed and reduced. However, the asanas and practices must be practiced under the care of an expert or a yoga master as it is risky for the baby.

Vinyasa yoga is a practice of yoga in which the movement and breathing are coordinated with connecting postures. The vinyasa yoga is popular in western countries which is also practiced as a dancing style of yoga due to its rhythm of movements and breathing. This kind of yoga is derived from asthanga yoga and the asanas are depending on the mood and needs of the practitioner with different sequences of the asanas or postures that can be choreographed as a dancing form which became popular among Kenyan youth. It provides a rhythm to the body along with fitness.

There are 18 types of Yogas mentioned in Bhgavadgeetha Here main yogas are listed

1. Hatha Yoga: This uses force and discipline in an attempt to gather the energy of the body with the consciousness. This can be achieved by physical postures, breathing exercises.
2. Bhakthi Yoga: It is for those who, through loving worship, wish to unite themselves with god. It can be practiced by singing, chanting slogans, reading religious books.
3. Gnana Yoga: It is true knowledge and is for those who study the sacred books of wisdom.
4. Karma Yoga: Performance the normal chores of life in a spiritual manner, attachment and remaining balanced ever in success and failure is karma yoga.
5. Raja Yoga: Concentration of mind in order to attain a mental and spiritual link with god in a royal manner.

Pilates yoga is a mixed form of Pilates and yoga which is also called as Yogilates. It mixes the forms of asanas and practices in Yoga and Pilates and trains the disciple for as long as 75 minutes sessions. Both Yoga and Pilates concentrate on the integration on the mind and body which helps in attaining not only physical fitness and flexibility but also controlling of mind. The pilates yoga includes asanas, along with deep relaxation techniques and meditation for relaxing the mind and brining the thoughts under control. This type of practice is gaining importance in USA that brings the benefits of both the age old Yoga and Pilates.

Meditation is the practice of yoga in which the practitioner sits in a position of asana and takes his mind through relaxation by controlling his thoughts. There are various types of meditation to calm the mind. One of the practices is to let the thoughts flow until the mind is empty and enters in to a state of emptiness. In this state the mind, often the practitioner experiences emptiness, enlightenment, spiritual inspiration, guidance from the guru or god, or just mental health. Depending on the class of yoga like Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism, Christianity, Islam, or Judaism, the meditation practice varies.

You can attain many health benefits using yoga postures, meditation and deep breathing techniques. It is good to have yoga routine in the morning. There is couple of things to follow. One have to wake up before the sunrise because the energy that fills that time of day is a sort of a get up and go energy. First thing, you should take a glass lemon water to get the Paracelsus going in your body. You should not eat before yoga. Some of the yoga postures are not appropriate who are suffering with spine, glaucoma, heart problems and for pregnant woman. Such kind of persons has to consult the physician before you proceed.

Anusara yoga is a form of modern yoga which follows the hatha yoga and is grounded in tantric philosophy. It is founded by John friend in 1997 with referring it to as universal principles of alignment. The anusara yoga is termed as attitude, alignment and action in which the energy flow of the human body is brought in to action through various asanas and movements to open up the mind and increase stability, strength and physical integration through the control of the mind. This new school of yoga is gaining popularity in western culture with John friend actively popularizing his concept.