Introduction

The word "Yoga" is well known throughout the world today, yet few people really understand the history, the benefits and the techniques of yoga and how much this system can offer to humanity. To help us understand yoga, we may start with the definition of yoga as "yoke" or union. Union with what? Union with the inner fulfillment. Union with the Supreme harmony. Union with the higher realms. Union in love with our eternal common origin. The guardian of our soul. This goal of yoga should be understood by students at the outset to guide their development gradually from the beginnings of spiritual awareness to the highest levels of divine consciousness.