Yoga (from Sanskrit yuj, meaning yoke)- YOGA menas INTEGRATION. is a family of ancient spiritual practices with mind-body techniques, that originated in India. Yoga is science, art and philosphy of Life. Yoga practices share a common intention: Samadhi; that is, the integration of the Self, with Brahman (Param
Shiva) -- most commonly referred to as God or to the Ultimate Reality for buddhist. Yoga encompasses a variety of traditions geared towards self-discipline, the realization the Self, and unity of the Self with the Universe.
Yoga is not a religion per se, but is Spirtual Science. It is a set of spiritual practices intended to support and encourage the spirituality and transformative possibilities of all religious traditions through a realization of the devotee's relationship to his/her Diety of choice.
The most prominent tradition in modern practices has become
Hatha Yoga and Integral Yoga The traditional intention of
Asana (literally, 'a good seat') is as a vehicle to promote concentration, meditation, and ultimately self-realization leading to samadhi. The only reference to
Asana practice in the Yoga Sutra of Patanjali is that
Asana should be 'steady and comfortable'. This might be interpreted to mean 'still body, still mind', such that when the body is still and strong, so too is the mind, and ultimately, through meditation, the spirit.
Yoga as a means to enlightenment is central to Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and
Jainism, but Yoga has also influenced religious and spiritual practices throughout the world.
Traditionally, Yoga is defined by the five principal branches or methods, delineated as Karma Yoga, the Path of Selfless Action; Bhakti Yoga, the Path of Devotion; Jnana Yoga, the Path of Wisdom; Mantra Yoga, the Path of Sacred Sound; and
Hatha Yoga, the Path of Inner Power. Raja Yoga, or the Royal Path, is synonomous with eight fold (ashtanga, also astanga) path of Classical Yoga, as described by Patanjali in the Yoga Sutra and Purna Yoga or Integral Yoga the integration of five branches.

Yoga Confederation of India