Yoga – A Boon for Body & Soul

2026 February 10

Yoga is ‘trendy’.

Everyone is doing yoga – are you?
Yoga continues to be one of the fastest-growing health trends in the world.
300 million people worldwide already practise yoga – and the trend is rising.
In Japan alone, the number of yoga practitioners has increased by 413% over the last five years.

In every city, more and more yoga studios can be found, offering a wide variety of yoga styles.
Yoga articles, websites, and YouTube videos are booming; courses and webinars are very popular, and yoga accessories, mats, and books are in high demand.
Today, more yoga clothing is sold than jeans – did you know that?

Why is yoga so popular?

The greatest problems in our fast-paced, restless, and technologised times are arguably stress and tension. Life is outward-facing; many people have lost touch with themselves. There is a lack of free time and reflection.

But our times are changing. People are increasingly seeking natural, sustainable ways to release stress and calm the mind and body.

And it works: scientifically confirmed positive effects of yoga include, for example, physiological balance and mind-body coordination, improvement in digestion, sleep, heart health, and metabolism, normalisation of blood pressure, reduced back pain, and better flexibility of the spine, muscle relaxation – and much more.

What is yoga?

When the word ‘yoga’ is mentioned today, most people think of physical exercises, yoga poses, which are actually called (yoga) ‘asanas’.

However, yoga is more than just the practice of physical postures, although these are truly valuable and health-promoting, and Ayurveda strongly recommends the daily practice of yoga asanas.

Yoga is a comprehensive philosophy and offers techniques and procedures that can help to unlock our hidden inner potential.

The word ‘yoga’ means union, unity.

Yoga is a state, a ‘yoga state’ of unity, which is achieved when the activity of our mind comes to rest and we are established in our own nature.

The yogis and seers of ancient India teach that deep within us there is a realm that is perfectly healthy, free from pain, unlimited, balanced, still, and peaceful. A source of infinite energy, fulfilment, creativity, and intelligence. Our inner self.

Yoga can give us the keys to unfold this hidden inner potential, to experience and live the ‘state of yoga’.

When the activity of our mind has come to rest completely in this yoga state and we are established in our own nature, our individual consciousness unites with its fundamental nature, pure consciousness – this is the true meaning of the word yoga.

How can we experience this yoga state?

"Yoga can only be known through yoga" – Vyasa (A sage of the Vedic era)

It is possible to experience the yoga state through authentic and traditional systems of yoga meditation. When we direct our attention completely inwards, we encounter our true innermost self.

For this reason, the natural, effortless method of Transcendental Meditation, which allows the yoga state to be experienced without any effort, concentration, auto-suggestion, or thought, is one of the most important approaches in Maharishi Ayurveda.

Origin of Yoga

Like Ayurveda, the science of yoga is based on ancient and traditional knowledge dating back thousands of years, passed down by ‘rishis’ and ‘maharishis’ (the word ‘rishi’ means ‘seer’ and ‘maharishi’ means ‘great seer’), who perceived the nature of life during deep meditation. The seer Maharishi Patanjali then divided the yoga system, the yoga philosophy, into four sections in concise aphorisms, the ‘Yoga Sutras’. There, he also describes the eight limbs of yoga for the development of the yoga state in all areas of life – from the outermost to the innermost area, called ‘Ashtanga Yoga’. ‘Ashta’ means ‘eight’, ‘Anga’ means ‘limbs’. Incidentally, the name has little to do with the yoga style of the same name that is often offered today.

If you are interested in this topic, our reading tip would be:

In this book, which is only available in English, the various branches of yoga philosophy are explained in great depth. It is suitable for beginners and advanced practitioners alike.

One of the eight limbs of the mentioned ‘Ashtanga Yoga’ is called ‘Asana’. These are the yoga body postures that are mostly associated with the term yoga. Another of the eight limbs is ‘Pranayama’ (breathing exercises). And, of course, experiencing unity in meditation.

Therefore, yogic body postures (yoga asanas) and breathing exercises (Pranayama) are recommended before practising meditation. The synergy of the three methods leads to clearer experiences of the yoga state.

Yoga Asanas

Sun Salutation

Start the day with a morning Sun Salutation. With this simple exercise, you reach your entire body – from head to toe. ‘Surya Namaskar’ releases tension and gives energy; the body gains elasticity, power, and strength; furthermore, this yogic exercise series has a positive effect on your emotions and your weight. Start with one or two rounds and slowly increase as desired and possible. Enjoy the wonderfully relaxed feeling after practice and rest for a few minutes afterwards lying on your back.

Note: People with high blood pressure, fever, or serious illnesses should not perform this sequence, or at least not without personal guidance from a competent yoga teacher.

Maharishi Yoga Asanas

This yoga style offers traditional yoga. It has never been modernised and differs in many ways from the large number of different yoga offerings found today, some of which have more of a workout character. Those who really want to tire themselves out should rather engage in demanding sports – and mindful yoga in addition.

Maharishi Yoga Asanas are performed in a very comfortable, systematic, natural, holistic, and authentic way, with full attention, always in one’s own comfortable rhythm. The exercises are suitable for all age groups, easy to learn and perform, regardless of one’s physical condition.

The unique style of practice brings the body into balance and thus leads to a high degree of integration of all body systems. In this way, physical and mental health and well-being improve, and resistance to disease increases.

The daily practice of special yoga asanas supports the dissolution of stress and blocks (areas of functional disorders) that may have accumulated over years in various parts of the body.

The Vedic sage and founder of Maharishi Ayurveda, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, developed a special exercise sequence together with renowned Indian yoga experts (Yogacharyas), based on classical yoga postures described in traditional yoga texts. Yoga Course Exercises

Where can you learn Maharishi Yoga Asanas?

Participants of a basic meditation course learn this special set of exercises and the breathing exercises free of charge as part of the basic course.

The local meditation centres or teaching institutes also offer courses that provide a comprehensive understanding of the nature of yoga and cover many aspects of yoga.

In addition to learning yoga postures and breathing exercises, insights into yoga philosophy and traditional yoga literature are given, Ayurvedic principles and recommendations for routine and nutrition are conveyed, and much more.

You can look for contact details in your area here: www.meditation.de.

Check whether the teacher has completed additional training in the field of Maharishi Yoga Asanas.

MERU in the Netherlands, just across the German border, also regularly offers Maharishi Yoga Asanas courses. Info: courses@maharishi.net.

By the way, we would rather not recommend learning yoga asanas via the internet or from a DVD. An introduction and adjustment tailored to your physiology by an experienced yoga teacher is not possible this way. After learning and with increasing confidence, you can then practise more and more independently. At home, in the garden, park, or on holiday – you only need a yoga mat … Yoga Course We wish you much joy on your yoga path and all the best for your health!