Yoga is a spiritual path developed in Hinduism.

Yoga dates back to over 9000 years

The first reference to Yoga is found in the Rig Veda.

The Yoga is at Realising Self.

There are steps to follow in Yoga.

Patanjali in his Yoga Sutras explains these steps.

They are Eight.

Yama,

Niyama,

Asana,

Pranayama,

Prathyaahaara,

Dhyana,

Dharana and Samadhi.

Of these eight, Samadhi is the culmination of the earlier seven steps.

Yoga is a spiritual exercise and not a physical one.

Practicing Yoga as a physical exercise does not find reference in Patanjali Yoga Sutras.

However, practice of Yoga as a Spiritual regimen,gives out beneficial physical side effects apart from enhancing Spiritual development.

The Physical benefits apart,Yoga also results in skillsets,which are,to a normal individual, impossible.

These include

Assuming minute Form,

Graining Large Forms,

Transmigration,.

These skill sets are Eight .

They are called Ashtama Siddhis,Eight Great Skills.

General physical side effects of Yoga ,are,

Clear Mind, devoid of indecisiveness and confusion,

General well being,

Relief from Breathing ,Lung and heart related issues,

Relief from Insomnia,

Improved Digestion.

Recent studies have shown that Yoga reduces the side effects of Cancer,and Cancer treatment.

It,

Improves quality of Sleep,

Reduces Depression and Negative thoughts,

Removes Anxiety,Fear.

‘Yoga has been used in the management of a variety of symptoms such as fatigue, sleep disturbances, loss of appetite, chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV), and pain in cancer patients.[56,58] The effects of yoga intervention have been moderate to large in these studies. Cooling Pranayama such as Sheetali, Sheetakari, and Sadanta have been useful in managing CINV along with Pavanamuktasana (supine knee-chest) and Uttana padasana (straight leg raise).

Source.

Research Study in Indian Journal of Palliative Care.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5545945/#!po=0.704225

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