Yoga is considered the most effective way to stay fit and healthy or to get healthy again. A major advantage of yoga is that you can practise it any time of the day and anywhere you wish.

Yoga techniques are helpful in maintaining your muscles, your joints and even your glands and other inner organs.

The five yoga techniques include:

• 1. posture
• 2. Movement of Joints
• 3. Deep, controlled breathing
• 4. Relaxation
• 5. Meditation

Each technique has it's own role and function. Some techniques support each other or prepare the body for one another.

1. Postures

There are many different postures from easy to highly demanding. The essence is not to judge oneself, but to observe oneself. A less demanding posture, standing, sitting or lying executed with dedication is always more preferable and effective.

2. Movement of Joints To achieve a certain posture, supplety of the joints is a necessity. The joints are trained, albeit in a gentle manner, to perform these postures. This training includes, amongst others, the neck, the hands, the arms and the legs and not forgetting very importantly the back.

3. Deep Breathing

Postures and movement of the joints are supported throughout by deep, controlled breathing. Let your breath flow whilst practising yoga. Remember - certain postures/movements are performed during inhaling whilst others are performed whilst exhaling. You should never hold your breath. The longer one exhales the calmer one gets.

There are also breathing techniques such as pranayama which can be executed in an upright sitting position. 'Prana' or breathing, supplies the body with new energy.

4. Relaxation

Relaxation after exercising is equally as important as the exercise itself. This releases the tensions built during the exercise and allows one to mentally relive the exercise.

5. Meditation

After preparing your body through posture, movement of joints, deep breathing and relaxation the spirit is ready for meditation. The yoga techniques help to increase the awareness and one can focus on concentration. Through concentrating the thoughts on one subject, the spirit calms down and as a result one feels contentment.