Everyone is practicing Yoga these days, even dogs, but how much do YOU know about it? Let's stretch out and explore this ancient practice that has swept the modern world.

An Asana is a body posture, originally and still a general term for a sitting meditation pose, and later extended in hatha yoga and modern yoga as exercise. The number 84 is symbolic rather than literal, indicating completeness and sacredness.

Downward-facing dog pose is a resting inversion pose that builds upper body strength and increases flexibility. In this pose, the body forms an inverted "V" with the feet and hands pressing into the ground and the hips pushing to the sky. Beginners who lack the flexibility to perform the full pose may use yoga blocks or a folding chair to support their hands.

The beginnings of Yoga were developed by the Indus-Sarasvati civilization in Northern India over 5,000 years ago. The word yoga was first mentioned in the oldest sacred texts, the Rig Veda.

Yin Yoga is slow-paced style of yoga as exercise, incorporating principles of traditional Chinese medicine, with asanas (postures) that are held for longer periods of time than in other styles. A more meditative approach to yoga, its goals are awareness of inner silence, and bringing to light a universal, interconnecting quality.

Child's Pose is a resting pose in which the yogi begins by sitting back on the heels with the knees hip-width apart and the palms on the thighs. The torso is then lowered toward the thighs while the arms stretch overhead and the forehead and palms rest on the floor. Finally, the arms are brought back to the sides, palms facing up.

Namaste is derived from the Sanskrit nama, meaning "bow," and te, meaning "to you." A common salutation and valediction in the Hindu culture, namaste literally means, "I bow to you." Namaste signifies one soul recognizing and honoring the holiness of another. The salutation is often offered by yoga instructors at the beginning or conclusion of a class.

Crow pose is an active yoga pose in which the practitioner begins by squatting and placing the palms flat on the ground between the legs and directly under the shoulders. The body's weight is shifted from the feet to the palms until the knees can balance on the backs of the arms above the bent elbows.

Kundalini is a Sanskrit term that literally means "coiled one." In spiritual circles, this term represents the primal force that lies "coiled" at the base of one's spine. Yoga poses, controlled breathing and meditation provide a means to awaken the kundalini and channel its enlightening force upward through the seven chakras, to the sahasrara chakra at the crown of the head.

Warrior two pose is the second of three related powerful standing postures that improve strength and flexibility. In this pose, the legs are placed in a lunge position with the forward knee at a 90 degree angle. The arms stretch out in opposite directions, in alignment with the body, which is facing forward.

Bikram yoga is named for its founder, Yogiraj Bikram Choudhury, and is practiced in a humid environment, heated to between 95 and 105 degrees Fahrenheit. Also referred to as "hot yoga," this type of yoga, when practiced regularly, is beneficial for overall health and is effective as a treatment for chronic or muscle pain.

Tree pose is a balancing pose that requires the yogi to stand rooted. To enter this pose, stand on one leg with the foot of the other leg pressed against the inner thigh of the standing leg. The hands are stretched upward with the palms touching. Remain in this position for 30 seconds and repeat the same procedure on the other leg.