A broad family of Indian philosophical, contemplative, and embodied traditions concerned with practices of body, breath, attention, mind, ethics, meditation, and liberation.
How the term is used
In modern wellness settings, 'yoga' often refers mainly to physical postures. Historically, however, yoga includes multiple traditions and systems, and physical posture is only one part of the larger picture.
Why it matters
Understanding yoga as more than exercise helps readers make sense of terms such as asana, pranayama, dhyana, and the Eight Limbs.
Read the guide Yoga for Beginners: What Yoga Is, How It Works, and Where to Start
Where this comes up
- Guide Yoga for Beginners: What Yoga Is, How It Works, and Where to Start
- Guide Yoga Beyond the Poses: A Guide to Yoga Philosophy for Everyday Life
- Guide Meditation for Beginners: How to Start Without Trying to Empty Your Mind
- Guide What Is Mindfulness? A Practical Guide to Being More Present in Everyday Life
- Guide Stress and the Nervous System: Understanding Regulation Without the Wellness Buzzwords
- Guide How to Build a Wellness Practice You Can Actually Maintain
Where this fits in a practice
The guides explain the idea in context; the service pathways are there when reading is not enough. Educational content only — nothing here is medical or mental-health care.