What yoga does to your body and brain
Between the 1st and 5th centuries CE, the Hindu sage Patañjali began to codify ancient meditative practices prevalent across India. He compiled these techniques into the **Yoga Sutras**, a collection of 196 manuals that define yoga as the ‘yoking’ or restraining of the mind from external distractions in pursuit of pure consciousness. Over centuries, yoga has evolved to incorporate physical elements drawn from gymnastics and wrestling, resulting in various modern styles. Despite this evolution, most contemporary practices still retain Patañjali’s three core components: physical postures, breathing exercises, and spiritual contemplation. This combination of mental and physical exercises is believed to offer numerous health benefits, including improved strength, flexibility, cardiovascular function, and psychological well-being.
