The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health or wellness as “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, not just the absence of disease or disability.” Health is seen as holistic, encompassing our physical, intellectual, emotional, social, spiritual, and environmental situations. These components of health are interrelated and determined mainly by the choices we make for ourselves. Do we choose a healthful diet to support our physical body? Do we have a positive support system of friends and/or family? Do we continue to be open to learning? All of these are about how we choose to live our life.

Thousands of years ago wise men in India sought to create a system (yoga) to eliminate suffering and maintain health. That system addressed the components health identified by the WHO.

The yogic view of our human system identifies five interrelated components: the physical, the breath or energetic, the intellect, the personality, and the emotional. Our yoga practice should touch each of these aspects of our system, reducing any impurities or blockages in our system so we may attain the clarity. When we are clear we make good choices in our lives and have a sense of peace and happiness.