Many people see yoga as a component to their relaxation programme and the stretching and breathing exercises are becoming more and more popular in the western world. It encompasses physical postures, exercise and controlled breathing. One of the benefits is that as well as being seen to relax the body and combat stress it can also be used to tone the body. It’s one form of exercise that is particularly recommended to pregnant women to help keep their healthy without causing stress to the unborn baby. Originally Yoga evolved from Hinduism where it was used as a form of meditation to attain higher consousness.