The Greek word that we translate as yoke is zeugos. It is also used to denote yoga. Both words mean to unite or join or mesh together. In Sanskrit the word yoga is also used as the name of one of the branches of Hindu philosophy. This system attempts the uniting or yoking of the individual awareness with the universal or supreme consciousness through following a certain way of life. Put in other words, we can say the disciple of yoga learns to work with the forces and processes of life as a partner -coupled - rather than be in conflict and unease with their own nature.

In Collins Concise Dictionary the Sanskrit word yoga is described as meaning ‘yoke’, while the English word yoke means to couple or unite. So one can truly quote Christ as saying 'Take my yoga upon you, and learn from me.....My yoga is easy.' ".

The beauty of yoga as it has developed in the west, is that each person has the opportunity of finding a fuller awareness of the nature of existence in their own way. It has grown into a blending of the spiritual and psychological teachings of many cultures, without exclusion. Although sects and groups have arisen, it has yet remained beyond sects. Still in its youth as a spiritual force in the West, its very beginnings have been blessed with women playing as large or greater a part in its practice and teachings than men.

Therefore, any present definitions of yoga must mention not only that it is a discipline leading to fuller awareness of existence, but also that practitioners are not required to join a sect or denomination, or to accept dogmatic teachings. Neither is it racist or sexist". Tony Crisp