Yoga and Meditation : Yoga is a science of self-diagnosis, healing, prevention, and maintenance of your body and soul. The great Rishis (sages) distinguish between Bahiranga Sadhana and Antaranga Sadhana. Bahiranga Sadhana is outer Yoga or spiritual practices designed to perfect the outer instruments of body and Prana (vital- energy).
These are the ethical practices and the Yogasana and Pranayama exercises. Once the body is perfected and the Nadis or astral tubes are purified through Pranayama practices, the spiritual seeker attains fitness to start the inner Yoga or Antaranga Sadhana. This includes Pratyahara, Dharana and Dhyana-sense abstraction, concentration and meditation.
The senses and the mind must be withdrawn from the sense objects and the mind must be focused on the God within. This is inner Yoga. The outer Yoga practices are to prepare the aspirant to gain fitness to practice this inner Yoga.
Yoga is divine and positively addicting and a powerfully effective substitute for negative habits. Whether borne of inspiration, or by trial and error, yoga techniques substitute for the kinds of activities our pre- and early human ancestors must have done in the course of just living out their arboreal lives.
The essence of yoga is to make the process as efficient and enjoyable as possible. In the beginning it is therefore essential that you learn not only what the stretches are, but how to stretch! How to relax! How to breathe! Then you will really be ready to workout -safely! Realizing the progress made often inspires yogis to sing for joy in praise for such divine providence! So there you have it. YOGA! The original song and dance!