Book excerpt: Beginners and advanced yoga practitioners will find inspiration in this ultimate guide! Yoga is an ancient practice that seeks to restore harmony and balance to the mind, body, and spirit. Developed in India 5,000 years ago, yoga is derived from a Sanskrit word that means "union with your higher consciousness." The Ultimate Guide to Yoga is a comprehensive text that offers numerous ways to get into and stay with yoga. It also provides you with everything you need to get started with your yoga practice without leaving the comfort of your own home. Fresh, stylish, and intensely usable, this is a beautifully illustrated handbook for the real world that explores the foundation of good yoga practice for beginner and experienced yogi alike. Featuring full-color photos, Ultimate Guide to Yoga also includes effective posture and breathing exercises to help alleviate more than 50 common ailments—from back pain to women’s health problems, allergies to insomnia. Gain a whole new awareness of your body and increase your health and performance!