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The interest in Yoga in the West has only developed in the last 5 decades or so. However, Yoga has a rich and long history dating back 5000 years. Yoga is not just a technique or a fitness regime. It is much more than that. It is a philosophy and a way of life. It was developed in the Indus Valley Civilization and has been in practice for 5 millennia. One of the reasons for this is that Yoga can be easily adapted to the requirement of the times as well as of the practitioner. For instance, in the early period in Yoga history, a lot of emphasis was laid on spiritual enlightenment and unifying the spirit with the universal whole. Over time, it became an art of healthy living in an overall sense, giving equal importance to body, mind and soul.

The fact that Yoga is a philosophy allows it to be interpreted in a number of different ways. That is the key to its adaptability. But, on the flip side, it also means that there is little in the way of standardization. In the 2^nd century, Patanjali attempted to standardize Yoga and wrote down 195 mudras to do so. He also created the Eight-fold Path of Yoga. However, as time progressed, the need of the hour went beyond and newer forms of Yoga came into existence. Today, especially in the West, there is a proliferation of different Yoga styles. For instance, there is power Yoga for those who want a cardio-vascular workout or want to lose weight. On the other hand, there are deeply meditative styles of yoga that enable spiritual enquiry.

Given the number of different styles of yoga, it can be confusing to choose any one style for oneself. The best option is to approach experienced Yoga instructors and ask for their input on which style of Yoga you should pursue given your specific condition. If a Yoga instructor is not easily available, you may want to approach Yoga institutes. For basic or detailed research on different types of Yoga, you can always depend upon the Internet to provide you with enough information to make up your mind. Once you have made up your mind, half the battle is literally won.

It is highly recommended that you study under Yoga instructors, especially if you are practicing Yoga for the first time. They will be able to give you the correct perspective on approaching Yoga and making it your lifestyle. They will also be able to tell you about the various poses, the philosophy behind them and their benefits. More importantly, they will be able to ensure that you get into Yoga poses correctly and are able to get maximum benefit out of them. To find Yoga instructors, look up the Net or approach your neighborhood Yoga institutes. If you intend to practice Yoga at home, there are a large number of books and DVDs available to help you get started with Yoga.