Is yoga a sport, an exercise class, a religion, a lifestyle choice, a state of being, or a ritual?

Some say yoga is diminished if not practiced strictly and daily, and should include all of the recommended yogic practices, the correct pronunciation of Sanskrit, the correct diet, and an intimate knowledge of the inner self. Others teach yoga as a 1 or 1.5 hour class involving stretching and breathing, then return to daily life until next week. Some say it requires flexibility, others say the poses are nothing compared to the awareness and presence required. I have spent some time and effort testing how different descriptions are received, and have found the following generalization is most popular:

“Yoga is another system of physical activity that maintains health by expanding and contracting muscle tissue. Just like any sport, game, daydream, or task of concentration, it includes some form of meditation or mental awareness. Just like any team sport, you can take it as seriously as you like, and start at any level of ability. Just like any physical activity, breathing and internal awareness are important. Just like any system, some things in yoga are hard to explain, and often just use the term 'energy'. And finally, just like anything that people can believe in, it is prone to bureaucratic nonsense, unwarranted fanaticism, claims that only one style is right, proper or true, or even the belief that there is a right or wrong way to do things.”

It seems most people are happier when they realize that you are not turning from a path of spiritual enlightenment if you prefer soccer to yoga. You are not missing out on unlimited happiness if you find that you don’t like taking yoga classes. What's more, playing an absorbing game of battleship is just as valid a mental exercise as deep meditation techniques.