MOD003325 – BUSINESS SKILLS
March 25, 2023
Management and Organisations
March 25, 2023
Introduction
Yoga refers to the unification of individual consciousness which is also known as the soul with universal consciousness. It includes a set of spiritual, physical, and psychological practices that have originated in India as a unique body of knowledge. According to Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, it is emotional unification and spiritual advancement with an element of the mystical component that gives a yogi a glimpse of something that is beyond any kind of imagination (Art of Living, 2017).
There is a need for yoga education since the powerful medium allows an individual to attain mental peace and spreads peace in the entire community. In the current scenario, yoga education is the need of the hour since it could have a significant positive impact on both the mental and physical health of an individual.
Yoga and Mental health
There is a strong connection between yoga and the mental health of an individual. According to yoga teacher and licensed psychotherapist Ms. Ashley Turner, yoga is vital for emotional and psychological healing and it resolves critical issues relating to self-confidence, personal issues, relationships, etc.( Ashley Turner,2017).
Currently, people have several mental health problems such as depression, high levels of stress, fatigue, anxiety disorder, etc. As per various research works, yoga acts as an important therapy that impacts the overall well-being of a human being. With the emergence of better quality yoga research studies, it has been observed that yoga plays a crucial role in having a positive impact on the health aspects of a person. It has been studied as a treatment for a large variety of psychological health disorders (Eda, 2017). Several types of research have revealed that yoga can minimize the symptoms of stress, schizophrenia, substance abuse, PTSD, etc.
There is a need for imparting yoga education since it has various benefits on the mental health of a person including it shifts the yogi to a parasympathetic nervous system from the sympathetic nervous system due to which a person experiences less stress or anxiety. The discipline helps in cultivating a strong nonjudgmental relationship with oneself which strengthens the self-trust. Practicing yoga helps in awareness since the yogi understands his shadow attributes such as knots of internal stress, etc (Groessl, Chopra & Mills, 2015).
It is essential to promote Yoga as the pillar of power that strengthens the mental health of a person so that more people would be encouraged to follow the discipline for the well-being of their psychological well-being. Since yoga has a vital interlink with mental health, there is a need to expand yoga education so that people can follow the practice and can have stronger mental health (Groessl, Chopra & Mills, 2015).
Yoga and Physical well being
It is essential to understand that the yoga discipline is strongly associated with the physical fitness of an individual. Several research activities have been conducted on yoga in the past decade to understand its impact on the physical well-being of an individual. The International Journal of Physical Education, Sports, and Health covered the topic “Effects of yoga on mental and physical health” in 2016 which highlights the varieties of benefits a person can enjoy by doing yoga regularly such as improving the functionality of the immune system, releasing of tension in the limbs and joints, improving the posture, enhancing body flexibility, dropping the blood pressure, etc (Büssing et al., 2012).
As per the writer Dr. Arun Kumar Nayak, various kinds of asanas have a positive impact on the health aspects of the yogi. Example – Hatha Yoga refers to the practice that is performed by holding fixed physical postures that involve stretching of the body (Nayak, 2016). It improves the body’s muscular flexibility and strength and is thus beneficial for people that suffer from musculoskeletal issues. Similarly, various kinds of yoga exercises and asanas improve the health condition of an individual.
There is a need for spreading knowledge and education on yoga since the discipline enhances the physical fitness of people who practice it regularly. Various studies have shown some evidence that highlights the fact that yoga has a positive effect on the sympathetic and parasympathetic aspects and the overall activation process. It also improves cardiovascular tolerance in young people. Various studies have stated that practicing yoga improves the conditions relating to hypertension and blood pressure.
Yoga and its impact on Diseases
Various research studies have been conducted to understand the impact of yoga on several health ailments and diseases such as cancer, obesity, etc. Yoga, which is a practice that is done to relax the body can be carried out by people who suffer from ailments since it does not have any negative impact on the state of health. This practice can help overweight people to reduce excess weight (Northlines, 2017). But still, further research study needs to be conducted to understand how yoga can be used as an effective tool to fight against chronic and life-threatening medical conditions.
Some researches show that a healthy and yoga-based lifestyle can be used as an intervention to reduce the risk that is associated with diabetes and other cardiovascular diseases. Further study can be conducted to strengthen the finding that practicing yoga daily can have a positive impact on patients that suffer from chronic diseases such
as obesity, breast cancer, etc. There is a need to spread education on different practices of yoga asanas since they can be used as complementary or alternative therapy that can fight against some dangerous medical conditions (Northlines, 2017).
Need to Promote Yoga Education
The various research studies that have been conducted on yoga and its effect on the mental and physical well-being of an individual in recent times suggest that following the practice regularly helps a person to have a healthy state of body and mind. Today a large number of people have begun practicing yoga since it has several health benefits. But still, there is a need to advocate on the subject so that an even greater number of people can follow the discipline to improve their overall well-being and peace of mind (Friedman & Friedman, 2017).
The review of various research papers shows that to refine the fitness state of both body and mind there is a need to promote yoga education so that the practice can become part of the daily routine of the majority of people. In the present stressful situation when one does not get personal time there is a need to understand the various benefits that an individual can enjoy by incorporating the practice into the daily schedule.
There are various forms of yoga that a person can choose from to improve physical state including flexibility, strength, balance, etc. Several breathing techniques there such as Pranayam helps a person attain mental peace and reduce the level of stress. The best part about the discipline is the fact that there are large varieties of yoga asanas to choose
from based on the physical condition and the exact requirements of a person. Thus promoting yoga education can enhance the peace level in an individual which further affects peace and harmony at the community level (Sutherland, 2017). In current times, when the majority of people are extremely stressed out due to several reasons such as work pressure, rivalry, family issues, financial constraints, etc, yoga can act as a medicine that can improve the quality of mental health and physical health of people. The inner peace that can be attained by practicing yoga can reduce stress and make an individual content with his course of life.
Yoga for all ages
Practicing yoga is beneficial for all age groups whether a person is 6 years old or 60 years old since it can enhance the mental and physical aspects of an individual’s life. A kid gains self-discipline and psychological and physical agility by practicing different yoga asanas. Similarly, an elderly person can strengthen his mobility, and enhance his memory by doing yoga regularly (Nayak, 2016). The practice of yoga on a routine basis can effectively improve all aspects of the functionality of the body and mind for all age groups.
Hence for people from all age groups to have overall well-being in their life, it is integral to promote yoga on different platforms so that people can understand its significance and incorporate it into their everyday lives.
Conclusion
Yoga discipline enhances various aspects of an individual’s life including the physical, mental, and spiritual state. It is vital to spare time to do yoga asanas that improve the state of well-being and calm the mind. This practice can be adopted only if education on yoga reaches far and wide corners of the globe. Since yoga offers long-term benefits to practitioners, yoga education is the need of the current times so that the overall quality of life of humans can be improved which would further promote peace on a greater level.
References
Art of Living (Global). (2017). Though born in India, Yoga belongs to the entire humanity says Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. Retrieved 26 July 2017, from https://www.artofliving.org/though-born-india-yoga-belongs-entire-humanity-says-sri-sri-ravi-shankar
Ashley Turner – Mind-Body Psychotherapy | Power Yoga | Los Angeles | Ashley Turner. (2017). Ashleyturner.org. Retrieved 26 July 2017, from http://ashleyturner.org/Büssing, A., Michalsen, A., Khalsa, S. B. S., Telles, S., & Sherman, K. J. (2012). Effects of yoga on mental and physical health: a summary of reviews. Evidence-Based
Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2012.
Eda, N. (2017). Yoga has Beneficial Effects on Patients with Chronic Diseases and Improves Immune Functions. Journal of Clinical Research & Bioethics. Retrieved 26 July 2017, from https://www.omicsonline.org/open-access/yoga-has-beneficial-effects-on-patients-with-chronic-diseases-and-improves-immune-functions-2155-
9627.1000197.php?aid=32688
Groessl, E. J., Chopra, D., & Mills, P. J. (2015). An Overview of Yoga Research for Health and Well-Being. Journal of Yoga & Physical Therapy, 5(4), 1.
Northlines. (2017). ‘Spread of Yoga education need of the hour’ – Northlines. Retrieved 26 July 2017, from http://thenorthlines.com/spread-yogic-education-need-hour/
Nayak, A. K. (2016). Effects of yoga on mental and physical health.
Friedman, J., & Friedman, J. (2017). 5 Ways Yoga Benefits Your Mental Health. Yoga Journal. Retrieved 26 July 2017, from https://www.yogajournal.com/lifestyle/5-ways-yoga-is-good-for-your-mental-health
Sutherland, D. (2017). Yoga Benefits All Ages. Wholistic Fit Living. Retrieved 26 July 2017, from https://wholisticfitliving.com/yoga-benefits-ages
