Yoga has been around for centuries, but has recently gained more popularity. Yoga originated in India and refers to traditional physical and mental disciplines. There are 5 main branches of yoga in Hindu philosophy, they include: Raja yoga, Karma yoga, Jnana yoga, Bhakti yoga and Hatha yoga (Yoga). The goals of yoga vary and range from improving health to achieving Moksha (Yoga). “In the state of Moksha one finds ultimate peace, ultimate knowledge and ultimate enlightenment. Heaven is believed to be a place of temporal attractions which the seeker must avoid in order to pursue the ultimate goal of union/play with God through yoga.” (Moksha) After learning more about yoga, I started to question myself a little more. I want to know if yoga has any beneficial effects, for those who follow a regimented exercise program. So, I found a level one yoga class at my gym and thought I'd try to find out if it would help or just waste my time because I'm not interested in meditation. It's Saturday morning at 10:00, as I walk into the yoga studio armed with a bottle of water and my yoga mat, I don't know what to think. I follow what everyone else does. People are getting these foam blocks, blankets and straps. I'm not sure what's going on at this point and class hasn't even started. I ask what the three different things are for and instructor Susan tells me, "The blocks are for balance if you need it, the blanket is for extra knee support or padding if needed, and the strap will provide a way easier to hold certain poses.”Yoga mats are lined up on the left and right walls. At first, I'm still not too sure about yoga. I'm skeptical about how this will do anything. middle of the card...... oga is a good place to start because we're all trying to get into poses and there wasn't a person there who could hold a pose very long. It was nice to be in a room where it didn't matter how bad are you because everyone is in the same boat I really went to see what I would get out of yoga In that class I was sweating as much as I would during a normal workout. Not only was I stretching but I was sore from working my muscles a way they were not used to. I am becoming an advocate for yoga and its benefits for the mind, body and soul. Works Cited: “Moksha.” Wikipedia.Wikimedia Foundation, Inc.20Feb.2011.Web.9Feb.2011.Roberts, Sherry."the benefits of yoga."Yoga Movement.The Roberts Group.ndWeb.22Feb.2011www.yogamovements.com/resourses/benefits"Yoga ."Wikipedia.Wikimedia Foundation, Inc.22Feb.2011.Web.9Feb.2011