The yoga, in translation from Sanskrit is the contemplation. In ancient India it was the integral part of religious beliefs and philosophical doctrines. The yoga is means to learn itself and to become free from restrictions of the material world. The system of methods and exercises of which the yoga consists gives the chance to the person to receive the power over the mind and the body.
The doctrine arose about 5000 years ago. The yoga doesn't demand from the adherent to practise any certain religion, but it developed under the influence of such religions as Hinduism, Taoism, the Buddhism. From the set of types of yoga it is possible to allocate two main directions is the Hatha yoga which is more focused on physical development, and the rajah-yogi - the emphasis on meditations and spiritual development.
It is serious it is allowed to practice yoga not to everyone. People are stopped by restrictions in food and impossibility to seize quickly the technique of the hyperventilation of lungs and spiritual growth. But despite difficulties, number of neophytes grows every year. One of widespread mistakes - neglect spirituality, desire to restore health and to lose weight without occupations meditation and also breathing exercises. So those who consider yoga only the type of physical exercises think. The possibility of control of the physical and mental state comes only through persistent work.
If you look for yoga for improvement of physical shape, then the Hatha yoga will be the optimum choice. Its exercises give the chance to lose weight and to change your figure. It is the unique technique making impact on all organism. Breathing exercises normalize blood circulation, favorably influence weak vessels (varicosity, arthritis, diseases of the backbone and other diseases).
Vegetarianism in yoga is not dogma. The direct ban there is the meat don't, but two or three years of occupations of people itself later changes the food allowance. The same principle works also for meditation and breathing exercises. Long practice gives harmonization of soul and the body, awakening of the sleeping abilities of the person. She puts all internals in order, trains all muscles and also restores structure of the backbone.
The Hatha yoga purpose - self-checking of and the body. It is impossible to reach harmony of the body and soul without discipline. The first the step in yoga are everyday occupations that the organism got used to the certain level of loadings. The second step is the work with breath. To work with breath it is impossible to treat as something minor or optional.