yoga

(yō′gă)

To hear audio pronunciation of this topic, purchase a subscription or log in.

[Sanskrit yoga, yoking, union]
A system of traditional Hindu beliefs, rituals, and activities that aims to provide spiritual enlightenment and self-knowledge. In the Western world, the term has been associated primarily with physical postures (asanas) and coordinated, diaphragmatic breathing. Many practitioners of complementary medicine use yoga to treat chronic musculoskeletal pain, anxiety, insomnia, and other conditions.

There's more to see -- the rest of this topic is available only to subscribers.