Why Try Yoga?

Golf is more of a hole-in-one, instead of taking many shots to get an intended result. I meant this in as an analogy, not a statement on your golf game, though yoga could certainly help.

By balancing the body, feelings, and thoughts, you are therefore becoming more conscious. You make better choices and have an overall greater awareness. The daily practice of yoga seems to cultivate awareness within the body, for starters. You can learn to choose consciously and live peacefully with the choice.

Yoga is a process for achieving this balance, which ultimately enables us to control our minds.  Called raja (or astanga) yoga, this process includes 8 steps.

Morality -- Steps 1 and 2

Steps 1 and 2 are akin to the Ten Commandments.  They are a code of conduct.  You do not have to achieve all this stuff before you can start practicing yoga. As you become more interested in yoga, your vices may begin to seem unnecessary. It is, however, a good idea to be open-minded.

• Step 1: Don't injure, lie, steal, be indiscriminate with your vital energies (sexual, emotional, etc.), or be greedy.
• Step 2: Do be clean inside and out, content, self-controlled, disciplined, and devoted. This step is about developing a regular practice.

External Processes -- Steps 3, 4 and 5

• Step 3: This step, called asana, refers to posture, and the yoga literature generally describes it as a comfortable seated position suitable for meditation. Asana is usually what we learn in a yoga class, and it has evolved into much more than sitting. There are thousands of different physical positions used in yoga, ranging from just sitting quietly to complicated contortions that are fun to watch and nearly impossible to execute. Most standard yoga postures are achievable to some extent by the average person, and they are extremely beneficial. Many people who practice them experience increased flexibility, strength, stamina and balance. Remember the three aspects of ourselves (physical, emotional, mental) we want to develop? Asana is an excellent method of exercise for the physical, emotional and mental aspects of ourselves. 
  There are many different flavors of asana (yoga poses). One type uses props such as wooden blocks and straps to create very precise body alignment. Another favors a routine performed in a very hot room to induce sweating. Some classes are slow and calming, others are very vigorous and may include jumping. Proponents of a particular style are not above proclaiming their version of asana as the one true yoga. Your one true yoga is the one that works for you. Listen to the guru within as you sample styles and teachers of yoga.
• Step 4: Breath control is central to yoga. The breath and the emotions are very connected. For example, if we feel angry, the breath is rapid and shallow. If we feel calm, the breath is deep and slow. Yogic breathing techniques can modify the practitioner's emotional state. Because the breath can affect the emotions so profoundly, it is best to have guidance when practicing breathing techniques.
• Step 5: Withdrawal of the senses: At this stage, external stimuli begin to lose their effect.

Internal Processes -- Steps 6, 7 and 8

• Step 6: Concentration: At this level we start approaching mental focus. If you can focus on one thing for twelve seconds straight, you are concentrating. Many people begin by observing the breath.  During these internal processes, thoughts or emotions may drift into awareness. These may become frustrating distractions; however, such thoughts and emotions should not be suppressed. Rather, they should be observed in a detached manner, and the attention should be gently guided back to the breath or other object of focus. At first, the entire practice of concentration may consist of redirecting the attention. Gradually, the distractions will become fewer and farther between. This practice will help reduce the non-productive mental activity during waking consciousness and is an important aspect of gaining mental control.
• Step 7: Meditation: Meditation is unimpeded concentration for at least 144 seconds. During meditation, you actually become connected to the object of focus.
• Step 8: Samadhi (pure consciousness): Samadhi is complete and total merging with the object of your meditation. It is described as a supremely blissful state.

So I might want to try Yoga.  Now What?

Obviously, the only thing between YOU and enlightenment is taking that first class (And the second, and the third!) It's usually a good idea to sample several classes until you find one that feels right, both during and after class. Do ask questions - a good yoga teacher will welcome them.

Whichever path you choose, remember that the purpose of all yoga is union of body, feelings and thoughts. In that oneness lies our freedom.