The elusive search for happiness is a constant quest for many people. And while some people are happy naturally, others have to learn it or work at it.

What is happiness exactly? According to Eckehart Tolle, writer and spiritual teacher, happiness is a state of mind. There are different ways to reach this state of mind.

One way is yoga. Yoga frees the body and the mind. If the body suffers from headaches, pain or sickness, the mind will keep worrying and people suffer. It is up to us to free our bodies from stresses.

Some people who have dealt with health issues or pain for a long time might not think that is possible. But it can be done. Sometimes it takes time.

We should remember that our bodies are not suddenly gripped by pain. There are symptoms, then discomfort and then pain. Improvement is the same in reverse. The body is the mirror of what happens in the mind. If we have worries, the body becomes tight and the breath shortens. Pain arises in the body and causes more worries. This is a cycle between body and mind. Practicing yoga frees the body, which frees the mind.

Yoga is a 5,000-year-old Indian practice. Science now allows us to better understand how yoga affects the body and its functions, and how changes in the body affect the mind. Yoga starts with discipline of the body. It consists of stretching, poses and breathing exercises.

Poses are vertical, horizontal and cyclical movements. Movements are sometimes repeated and sometimes held. Poses help yoga practitioners align their skeletons, strengthen their muscles and gain flexibility.

Yoga practitioners become aware of their postures. For example, if people have a tendency to round their shoulders, they can compress their thoracic cage and their breath becomes shallow. That can allow stress or depression to set in.

Bad posture can also affect digestion. By collapsing on a chair instead of sitting straight, internal organs can compress. Stomach aches and constipation can be eased or prevented by yoga.

Our internal organs function properly when our bodies are aligned. The proper workings of these functions are the starting point of good heath. When we are fit, our mood is improved and when we are at ease and happy, difficulties or negative emotions slide over Advertisement

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Proper breathing allows the respiratory system to supply the body with oxygen and remove carbon dioxide (toxins). Strong exhalations push away toxins and deep inhalation to bring oxygen into the bloodstream.

When breathing and postures are combined, people open the respiratory system, balance hormones, and detoxify the body. The focus on breath and movement allow people to be mindful of the moment.

Mindfulness of the moment is like a happiness island in the ocean of stress and worries. Most of the time, our minds tend to be like monkeys playing in trees. The mind is always in activity, jumping from one thought to another. For example, we can, at the same moment drive a car, think of the traffic, what we will eat tonight and talk with the person next to us. That shows the restlessness of our minds.

When we practice poses and focus only on the breath, we calm the mind’s activity and stop worrying, being afraid or suffering.

Worries, fear or misery are thoughts of the past or the future. "What if…" leads us forward or back, but not into the now. "Why me…" or "Poor me..." are thoughts that forbid us to be happy. If we stop the mind’s activities, we can rest and become happy. Being conscious of the present moment brings an awareness of what we are doing. That forces worries, fear and misery to ease or disappear.

When we can step into the present moment, happiness arises. Maybe at first, we just get a brief glimpse of peace and happiness. Eventually the glimpse will get longer and longer. And finally we will be able to manage our stress, feelings of sadness, anger, and deception. We become conscious of the present moment. We bring peace into our lives.

Yoga is not about a rapid change. It is about accepting where and what we are and about discovering our true nature. Yoga is the art of living in harmony with the world and with ourselves. No matter how stressful or difficult our life situation is, yoga helps us find happiness. Happiness doesn’t come from outside, but lies within each of us. It’s waiting for us to blossom. We just need to be willing, practice regularly, and trust in ourselves.