Practicing yoga is more than an activity of stretching out in an extremely quiet room enclosed with candles. It's an activity that builds both physical and emotional strength through empowering discipline and union – both mind and body.

Traditionally, yoga is associated with its spiritual growth and guidance, but it is also an exercise of physical strength and flexibility. The Sanskrit word, yoga, literally means union, which includes both physical capabilities and emotional control. But many people seem to only think of yoga as a spiritual connection and forget the strength required for it.

There are many different types of yoga that are meant to focus on particular practices – from meditation to strength, balance, or flexibility. But most forms are classified as Hatha Yoga. It is a specific type that assembles various types of physical yoga postures designed to balance and calm your mind, body, and spirit for meditation.

The word “hatha” can be interpreted as the yoga of balance and the yoga of activity. When broken apart, it means “sun” (ha) and “moon” (tha). The translation subscribes to being a “union of the pairs of opposites.” But it is also “willful” and “forceful” as it addresses the body and mind in building discipline and effort.

Being the most common and effective type of yoga it, above all, builds character, strength, power, and balance. This type of yoga will excel in both areas of mind and body, producing a poise of physical and spiritual power that is perfect for the millennial trend developing amongst us.

While participating in a yoga class (or doing it on your own) may seem like you’re just stretching for a – seemingly – long amount of time, it is also pushing your body out of its comfort zone. Just looking at a couple poses on Instagram or an advertisement can have you thinking that they are impossible to complete – but everyone starts somewhere. Being able to do poses out of your comfort zone while controlling your mind builds discipline.

Yoga isn’t just an activity of “stretching” – and yes, it is difficult. But the benefits that arise from it are worth the patience to succeed with it. There is nothing "feminine" about pushing your body beyond limits and your mind beyond barriers. It's empowering. Yoga is not just an activity of spiritual meditation but physical strength as well, one that we can all benefit from.