Why is yoga considered a spiritual practice?
Like other great spiritual traditions, yoga is ultimately a practice of liberation. Of course, establishing a daily practice does not guarantee the achievement of liberation, either in the short or the long term, but it does make possible significant internal changes that naturally lead to self-transformation a true measure of spiritual practice. With support from the community of fellow practitioners and guidance from a teacher, from the tradition, and from him or herself, the aspirant (as the student of yoga is traditionally called) can make real progress on the path to liberation. While the immediate benefits of yoga health, stress reduction, and so on are well known, and worthwhile in themselves, traditionally they are pursued not for their own sake but to prepare the body and mind to enter into meditation. An open body and mind in good health and temperament can then more readily achieve union (or yoga) with the Great Self, the Divine, or God. True spiritual practice must be exper
