Yoga involves deep breathing and focusing on being in tune with one's own body. "...yoga can increase strength, balance, and flexibility, and many people say it gives them more energy and makes them feel calmer and more 'centered'" (Harvard Health Letter, 1998, p.4). When this happens, the person begins to understand their own body and how it works in relation to it's parts. In Yoga, there is an emphasis on breathing patterns. "The primary goal of...(breath training)...is to clarify and focus the mind" (Herrick & Ainsworth, 2000, p.33).An energy force that is thought to enhance our well-being is attained through breathing. In the North American culture, people are generally shallow breathers, meaning we use very little of our lungs capacity. This type of brething may be partly responsible for issues such as a lack of energy, and an increase in stress. Deep breathing from the diaphragm allows this energy force into our bodies to create a harmonious balance between the body, mind and spirit. (Herrick & Ainsworth, 2000).

There are many health concerns that can be helped by practicing yoga. "Yoga has been credited with decreasing serum cholesterol levels and increasing histamine levels to fight allergies" (Nursing, 2001, p.20). "The health claims of yoga extend from reducing stress and slowing the base respiratory rate to lowering blood pressure and fighting heart disease" (Psycology Today, 2002, p.56). Not only can yoga decrease some physical ailments but it can also decrease the symptoms of some mental disorders such a depression and anxiety (Harvard Health Letter, 1998). The vast areas in which yoga can be beneficial to one's health is evident by the statement that "Many studies have shown yoga's effectiveness as a complementary therapy for anxiety, obesity, acoholism, and tobacco addiction; for menopause, menstral problems, and premensral tension; for arthritis and rheumatism, back and neck pain, insomnia, migraine headaches, and nerve or muscle disease; for heart disease and hypertension; for asthma and bronchitis; and for cancer, diabetes, duodenal ulcers, and hemorrhoids" (Nursing, 2001, p.20). The benefits of yoga can be endless.