“Yoga is not an ancient myth buried in oblivion.it is the most valuable inheritance of the present.it is the essential need of today and the culture of tomorrow” - Swami Satyananda Saraswati.
June 21, 2024, is International Yoga Day, thanks to the efforts of great Yoga practitioners like B.K.S. Iyengar and the Indian Government’s efforts to promote Yoga as a therapeutic science. Designated by the United Nations in December 2014, the world today celebrates the ancient Indian therapeutic practice with great enthusiasm. Yoga has established itself as not just an art of living but also as a science and is considered as one of the systems of medicine in India under AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy).
Through this blog, I wanted to bring forth in discussion some aspects of Yoga to understand how the bodily movements have profound effect on our mental health and of course the soul at large. Yoga is a 5000-year-old therapeutic system that originated in the Indian subcontinent. It was widely practised more ritually in Indian society and was considered as the ‘hygiene’ factor of the daily lifestyle. The word Yoga is derived from the ancient Indian language Sanskrit and it means ‘union’ or ‘unite’. In the religious sense, Yoga has been attributed as a practice by Lord Shiva, who is often addressed as the first yogi (Male practitioner of Yoga) or referred to as ‘Adiyogi’. It is believed that Shiva, the first Yogi (Adiyogi) transferred these therapeutic skills to mankind.
Yoga is practised in eight forms and these are:
As you can notice the eight forms cumulatively emphasize on the union of the body, mind and spiritual axis. Yoga thus not only transforms the body but through the flow of energy from the physical axis transforms the emotional being and the spiritual being also. This facilitates the process of reaching a state of consciousness and calm.
The bodily movements in the practice of Yoga help strengthen the human mind. This is an important consideration because the mind in return influences the body. We all experience this phenomenon. For example, when you think about something that you are afraid or scared of, your body will react and you start feeling it in the physical form with symptoms like a racing heartbeat, trembling, sweating, etc. Similarly, pleasant thoughts about our favourite foods can cause a physical reaction mouth-watering. Nervousness can cause the feeling of butterflies in our stomachs. The mind thus has a profound control over our physical self. Yoga helps this control to be further synergized and at advanced levels, our mind can differentiate the good and bad in a better manner and start controlling the negative emotions. Rightly said by Lord Buddha “It’s the mind that creates the world”.
Now. Let’s break down Yoga as a practice. There are three aspects that we need to understand in Yoga. The conscious body movements, the breathing control and the meditation (along with visualization). The techniques practised in Yoga include gentle restorative poses, supported postures, breathwork, and periods of mind-calming, all aimed at gaining a much better emotional balance. Balancing the energy flow is a great healer of the physical body, the emotional self and finally the spiritual self. The practice has many benefits some of which are;
Let me focus a little on the impact of Yoga on the mental health. The most noticeable advantage of Yoga is its capacity to generate peace and relaxation. Practitioners can engage the parasympathetic nervous system by practicing in various poses (Asanas) and focusing on the breath (Pranayama), so reducing stress and anxiety. This activation lowers the heart rate, and blood pressure, and produces a sense of calm. Yoga's emphasis on mindfulness and present-moment awareness contributes to mental relaxation. Meditation and guided relaxation (Yoga Nidra) are two practices that help to calm the incessant mental chatter, resulting in a clearer and more focused mind. Regular practice can enhance emotional regulation, lessen depression symptoms, and increase general well-being.
Yoga complements the modern and other systems of medicine; it also complements various other therapies used for the benefit of the patient. It has positive effects if deployed and practised properly. Especially if it is deployed to benefit the mental well-being of the clients. One most important and tangible outcomes of the practice of Yoga is mindfulness. Yoga can help people become more conscious of their thoughts and emotions and also become aware of their environment. This increased awareness may make it easier to recognize and combat unfavourable mental habits. Furthermore, the physical side of yoga helps to release stored stress in the body, which can be very good for people struggling with trauma. Yoga also encourages self-compassion and acceptance, which are important components of many therapeutic techniques. Yoga promotes a nonjudgmental awareness of oneself, allowing individuals to build a more compassionate relationship with their minds and bodies.
In conclusion, Yoga offers profound benefits for mental health and well-being along with physical and spiritual well-being. Its calming effects and ability to complement traditional therapy make it a valuable tool in the journey towards holistic well-being. By integrating Yoga into our routine, we can cultivate a deeper sense of peace, balance, and harmony in our lives.
