what is yoga?
The practice of Yoga originated with the Indus Valley civilization in India. Yoga is considered post spiritual and transcending religions. I have heard swamis describe Yoga as supra-religious. It is the sort of ideal that is above any denomination, sect, or faction of religious practice. In Sanskrit the word Yoga has a meaning entailing unity, control and joining. In some ways this is applied to joining with the divine, in whatever form you might envision it. It might also be said the yoga is the consciousness of the true Reality that surrounds us, and the search for that consciousness. That search may take many forms. But at its core it is the experience of Truth.
Remember that Yoga isn't merely acrobatics. When you remember the root of the motions, and the meaning behind them, you will begin to understand that the practice of yoga, even when it is separated from any specific religion, is deeper than the movements themselves. The physical postures, the headstands and the twisting of the body into strange positions is an auxiliary form of the practice of Yoga. It is only one small part of the larger whole.
Yoga also isn't a magic-practicing art. It is also not a method by which a person may exemplify self-torture or the inflicting of pain for the purpose of sensationalism. These types of behaviors are largely based in what is called "Fakirism," and has nothing to do with Yoga. In order to explain the nature what Yoga is, I would like to relate to you a parable:
There was a big tree in a jungle. On the top of a branch there was a very big honey-comb. But the ascent to the top of the tree was difficult. One had to cut steps on the trunk of the tree and ascend; but that demanded great patience and intelligent work.
A slender creeper entwined that tree and reached up to a great part of the height. It appeared to be strong, though it perilously dangled in the air.
A greedy man, desirous of possessing honey, without much effort, began to ascend the tree with the sole help of the creeper. He was too lazy to cut steps on the trunk of the tree and thought that the creeper was strong enough to take him to the top. When he was a few feet above the ground, a violent wind broke the creeper and the man fell down and fractured his limbs.
The goal of the practice of yoga, the search for unification with divine Truth being the honey within the tree, you as the practitioner may select your method of extracting the honey. There are multiple methods to extract this honey, but the goal is always the same. I personally seek that consciousness of truth through the physical poses and mental preparation that those postures can give you. If you select another method to seek your honey, it is no better or worse than my path; it is simply different.