The word yoga comes from the root yuj “to link together,” “to bind closely” this root is also the root for the Latin jungere and jugum which, in the English language is the word yoke. Yoga is not simply a series of postures but a philosophy that joins together the body, mind, and soul. It also links the thought or vibration of the practitioner with the material manifested world. The results produced by the actions of yoga is unity, the unity of mind, body and spirit, the unity of the manifest and the unmanifest. Unity or the joining “linking together” with the Divine to bring forth mastery of self and ultimately moksha (or more commonly known as nirvana) being the ultimate goal. To obtain moksha one has become “realized” meaning, one has attained a state of realization that ultimate unity with the Divine, this is the nature and purpose of yoga.
Yoga is one of the six systems of Indian philosophy. The classical yoga that was devised by Patanjali is the system most recognized in the West.
Yoga 