Yoga" and "Meditation" have become the most popular sciences for curing Physical, Mental and Emotional Illness and also for achieving Spiritual Strength. There are many misconceptions about what actually Yoga is. Some say that it is some form of Gymnastics, some treat it as physical exercise while others feel that it is a display of various difficult postures. In the right sense of the term "Yoga" actually means 'union' or 'contact'. It has been derived from the Sanskrit word "Yuj" which means to unite or Join. The process by which the Individual Self unites with the Supreme Self is known as Yoga. The purpose of Yogic Practices is to destroy the impurities of the mind and acquire physical practices for ultimately attaining self Realizing. "Meditation" means to "Reflect Upon". This happens when the mind is concentrated on a particular activity or object over an elongated period of time.

There are four principle forms of Yoga :

Karma Yoga - Uniting with the Supreme Self through "Work"
Gyana Yoga - Uniting with the Supreme Self through "Knowledge"
Bhakti Yoga - Uniting with the Supreme Self through "Devotion"
Raja Yoga - Uniting with the Supreme Self through "Psychic Control"
"Patanjali" was the first Philosopher and Teacher who made "Yoga" a proper scientific discipline. Yoga is being practiced in India since the last 5000 Years. The "Ashtanga Yoga" of Patanjali consists of Eight Limbs with the help of which, one can attain Realization.

The Eight Limbs are:

• Yama (Restrain)
• Niyama (Self Discipline)
• Asana (Posture)
• Pranayama (Breathing exercises for the Lungs)
• Pratyahara (Withdrawal)
• Dharana (Concentration)
• Dyana (Contemplation)
• Samadhi (Transcendence)