Yoga has a long history and tradition but has become disconnected from its spiritual roots in contemporary Western practice. Traditional yoga sought to still the mind and manage human flaws through spirituality, while modern yoga focuses more on physical exercise and health benefits. Studies have shown yoga can help with conditions like depression, anxiety, and mobility for the elderly, but it is difficult to isolate its effects without controlled experiments. The practice of yoga has also transformed as it spread from India to the West, taking on new meanings around appropriation and religious encounter. Proper breathing is key to yoga's healing effects on the body.