Fitness fads come and go, but yoga has been a worldwide workout staple for 5,000 years. Since yoga was introduced to this country in the 1960s, participation has been growing steadily. Today, yoga has more followers than ever as people begin to look for a workout that taps into all aspects of self -- physical, mental and spiritual. Is yoga the perfect workout for the new millennium? Decide for yourself.

What is it? In its simplest terms, yoga is an exercise system that consists of a series of poses, postures and positions. It was developed in India about 5,000 years ago to promote union of the mind, body and spirit. For that reason, yoga classes have a different feel than most traditional Western-type workouts. The typical yoga workout is a blend of strength, flexibility and body awareness exercises. Besides the physical aspects of the workout, most yoga classes also include a spiritual element; it's not unusual for a class to include some chanting, prayer, candles or incense.

There are many forms of yoga, but Hatha is the most common. Hatha yoga includes all of the basic yoga moves and breathing exercises but doesn't include the religious or spiritual aspects of some other forms. All yoga forms aim to increase your physical fitness as well as your ability to maintain positive thoughts and feelings.

Why we love it: Yoga offers an active time-out to energize your body and calm your mind. Most people begin to see and feel improvements in their flexibility, strength and stress levels after only a few classes. Yoga is also portable -- take it on the road; no equipment is necessary. It is also affordable in that it is often available at many health clubs at no additional charge. Studio classes cost $5-20 depending on where you live.