The benefits of Yoga are endless. It affects the human mind and body in various ways. Approximately 15 million Americans practice yoga, with a 20% increase in participants expected in the United States each year ("Yoga Statistics"). While Yoga is often thought of as a practice involving circus poses and seemingly impossible flexibility; it's not like that. Even bedridden patients can benefit from imagining themselves assuming poses and practicing breathing techniques appropriate to them (Dickenson 24-25). Yoga isn't something you do in the studio and then leave behind. It becomes a lifestyle; leading to healthier habits, improving psychological health and encouraging spiritual growth. An article on using yoga in intimate relationships, by Kate H. Feldman, says; “It means learning and using the relationship skills you intentionally build in your daily interactions: taking time to listen and get to know who your partner is; learning to make agreements; learning to set boundaries; learning to use skillful language when you're talking and you are able to identify your feelings and express them without losing your composure or perspective (16-20).”Yoga could be described as the practice of holding different poses and using different breathing techniques that strengthen the mind and body , bringing the practitioner into a new state of awareness. Yoga practice increases blood flow to internal organs, brings more oxygen to the body's cells, strengthening and calming the nervous system. There are many different types of yoga. In the United States the most practiced form is known as Hatha, which is a combination of poses taken from all types of yoga b...... middle of paper ......2014: 24-25. Press."News." Yoga. March 2014: 8-9. Print.Feldman, Kate H. “Maintaining Relationship Posture.” Yoga. February 2014: 16-20. Print."What is Kripalu?" Kripalu. August-November 2013: 4-5. Print.Hartfield, Ned, Jon Havenhand, Sat Bir Khalsa, Graham Clarke, and Anne Krayer. “The Effectiveness of Yoga for Improving Wellbeing and Stress Resilience in the Workplace.” Scandinavian newspaper about work, environment and health. (2011): 70-76. Network. April 13, 2014. .United States. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Get the facts: Yoga for health. NCCAM Clearinghouse, 2008. Web. .Forbes, Bo. Interview by Kelly Birch. "Interview with Bo Forbes, PsyD." Yogatherapy today. Spring 2013. 28-33. Network. April 7 2014.