By Nicolette Helling & photojournalist Jeff Ernewein, FOX 21 News

DULUTH - It's been practiced in India for 5,000 years.  Now, yoga is becoming a more common form of exercise in the U.S.

But for those who practice yoga, the health benefits can reach far beyond improving physical health.

"Yoga is a practice to unite your mind and body," said Hilary Buckwalter.

At the Spiritual Deli in Duluth, Buckwalter is leading an evening yoga class.

"We're a very quick, fast paced society. There's a lot of stress, there's a lot of pressure on people, everybody is working really hard," said Buckwalter. "It just gives you that space to take a step back and breathe."

For many people, yoga provides a chance to escape the day's worries and stresses; one hour of peace in an otherwise hectic day.

"I think there are a lot of myths about yoga. One I hear people say is, 'I can't bend myself into a pretzel,'" said Buckwalter.

But yoga can bend to fit anyone, says the yoga instructor.

Some classes only focus on breathing and relaxation.

Yoga can be many different things for different people: exercise, stress relief, therapy or a meditative, spiritual experience.

And for every reason to try yoga, there is a list of possible health benefits.

"I was more into like aerobics and things like that previous, but then I came down with some chronic pain issues," said Patti Hanger.

Hanger had never tried yoga before she came to the Spiritual Deli.

"This was more gentle and kinda meditative and I really like that aspect as well," said Hanger.

A year and a half later, she says her yoga practice is improving her health.

"You know, I don't know exactly how, but my chronic pain issues have lessened," said Hanger.

In medical studies, yoga has been found to reduce chronic back pain and improve some mental health problems, as well as relieve stress, lower blood pressure and improve cardiovascular endurance.

Beyond that, yoga can find its way into the metaphysical.

"It's kinda opened me up a little bit more spiritually actually too, which was something I didn't really anticipate," said Hanger. "It's become part of my life. I'm really enjoying it a lot."

Instructors at the Spiritual Deli say the "no-pain, no-gain" exercise philosophy does not apply in yoga.

First time yoga students should start slow to avoid injury.

For more information on the Spiritual Deli and the yoga classes they offer, visit www.spiritualdeli.com

For more information on yoga's health benefits, visit these websites

http://www.hvk.org/articles/0702/212.html

http://www.uihealthcare.com/topics/medicaldepartments/internalmedicine
.