Yoga, as defined in America, is known to be a mind-body technique originating in Asia. It is easily available at fitness facilities, on DVDs, and even through virtual instructors. Today people may practice yoga for a variety of reasons such as; address musculoskeletal problems, physical, mental and emotional health. Even though yoga is gaining more and more popularity, its context doesn't go much beyond its ability to reduce stress. Yoga originated in ancient India as a spiritual practice. In Sanskrit the word yoga means union, to yoke or to unite (Chaoul & Cohen). It is often depicted as a metaphorical tree with eight “branches”: yama (universal ethics), Niyama (individual ethics), Asana (physical postures), pranayama (breath control), pratya-hara (control of the senses), dharana (concentration ), dyana (meditation), and samadhi (bliss) (Ross & Thomas, 2010). It is part of Vedic science, in which Ayurveda is the branch that deals with the physical and psychological components of disease and treatment (Frawley, 2008). Therefore, when yoga is used to address health issues, it is done so in the context of Ayurveda. Ayurveda takes the philosophies, principles and practices of yoga and applies them to healing the mind and body. The goal of yoga is to create balance. Inner balance is defined by six variables: diet, lifestyle, environment, body work, breathing techniques and mental processes (Shah & Hooper, 2003). Ayurveda promotes practical guidelines for achieving balance in the elements. The original authors of Ayurvedic physicians, Caraka and Susruta, defined Ayurveda as the “science that imparts knowledge of life… the description of a happy and unhappy life and actions that promote and degrade longevity.” Ayurveda is based on...... middle of paper...... S. (2010). The health benefits of yoga and exercise: a review of comparative studies. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 16(1), 3-12. doi:10.1089/acm.2009.0044Seibert, A. (2012). Health Benefits of Yoga: Flexibility, Strength, Posture and More. Retrieved December 12, 2013, from http://www.webmd.com/balance/guide/the-health-benefits-of-yoga?page=3Shah, V., & Hooper, G. (2003). Yoga and Ayurveda for therapy. International Journal of Yoga Therapy, 13, 7-13. Retrieved from http://ehis.ebscohost.com/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=000af616-ff49-48b7-b44a-f01b45c73599%40sessionmgr111&vid=1&hid=104Stiles, M. (2007). What yoga therapists need to know about Ayurveda and Kinesiology. International Journal of Yoga Therapy, 17. Retrieved from http://ehis.ebscohost.com/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=24d93d01-fbc5-4961-b995-2933c80b1b43%40sessionmgr198&vid=1&hid=104