Yoga

Full lotus postures were around before the time of Buddha and used for meditation. The Buddha used these postures for rediscovering Vipassana, Insight and wisdom

Yoga is a word in Pali and Sanskrit meaning ‘to connect’ or ‘to bind’ and is etymologically related to the English word yoke. In Buddhism yoga is sometimes used as an alternative word for meditation.

An important step in meditation training is to learn to develop concentration, i.e. to fix the attention on one point. For most people however, the word ‘yoga’ is associated with the ancient system of physical and mental exercises commonly called hatha yoga. Although a Hindu art, anyone doing Buddhist meditation will find that yoga benefits their practice. Hatha yoga enhances good health, it can be a type of mindfulness of the body and it can invigorate the body after extended periods of meditation.

Yoga is also a Pali term for 'yokes, bonds,' being another name for the 4 fermentations; see asava.

Outside India, the term yoga is typically associated with Hatha Yoga and its asanas (postures) or as a form of exercise. Someone who practices yoga or follows the yoga philosophy is called a Yogi. In many nations now yoga studios have sprouted up for people to come and learn the postures and exercises for better mental and physical health, often with little or no underlying philosophy / religion attached to it.

References

Maha Thera Nyanatiloka. Manual of Buddhist Terms and Doctrines, Buddhist Publication Society, first edition 1952.