Yoga is a group of physical, mental, and spiritual practices or disciplines which originated in ancient India. Yoga is one of the six orthodox schools of Hindu philosophical traditions. There is a broad variety of yoga schools, practices, and goals in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism.

• Yoga is an inner science comprising of a variety of practices and methods through which human beings can achieve a union between the body and the mind to attain self-realisation.
• The aim of Yoga practice (sädhana) is to overcome and endure all kinds of sufferings that leads to a sense of freedom in every walk of life with holistic health, happiness and harmony.
• One of the deep impulses of human mind is a craving to know.
• Founders of philosophical thoughts – Vedic seers, ancient Indian Yoga Gurus, Maharishis, Mahavir, Buddha, Christ, Mohammed and Sufis have dedicated their lives to the quest of understanding the source of suffering of mankind.
• All these masters have developed a common path, based on their concrete experiences which are practical, methodical and systematic for unfolding and culturing the unlimited potentialities of mankind which can be realised by the practice of Yoga.
• The roots of Yoga are in ancient India; its universal origin is the burning desire in the heart of the philosophers – the yearning to be happy and free of suffering.
• In Indian thought the term Philosophy stands for Darshana i.e. ‘vision’ as a means of self-realization through self-purification which claims to end the three-fold suffering of mankind forever.
• While minutely observing the life phenomenon, ancient Indian masters have concluded that so long as we do not pay any serious attention towards our day-to-day activities as well as the activities of Mother Nature, we go on performing all our actions mechanically in the form of reflexes.
• Nowadays, millions of people are practicing Yoga and have been benefitted by the practice of Yoga which has been preserved and promoted by the great eminent Yoga Masters from ancient times to this date.
• Yoga is being practiced as an art and science of well- being across the globe.

Traditional Schools/Kinds of Yoga:

Different philosophies, traditions, lineages and guru-shishya paramparas of Yoga led to the emergence ofdifferent traditional schools. These include Jnäna Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Karma Yoga, Pätanjala Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Dhyäna Yoga, Mantra Yoga, Laya Yoga, Räja Yoga, Jain Yoga, Bouddha Yoga etc.

The Fundamentals of Yoga:

• Yoga works on the level of one’s body, mind, emotion and energy.
• This has given rise to four broad classifications of Yoga: Karma Yoga where we utilize the body; Jnäna Yoga where we utilize the mind and intellect; Bhakti Yoga where we utilize the emotion and Kriya Yoga where we utilize the energy.

Yogic Practices for Well-Being:

• The widely practiced Yoga sadhanas are: Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pränäyäma, Pratyähära, Dhärana, Dhyäna, Samädhi, Bandhäs and Mudras, Shatkarmas,yuktähära, Mantra-j apa, Yukta-karma etc. Yama’s are restraints and Niyama’s are observances.
• These are considered to be pre-requisites for further Yoga practice.
• Äsanas, capable of bringing about stability of body and mind, involve adopting various psycho-physical body patterns and giving one an ability to maintain a body position for a considerable length of time.
• Pränäyäma consists of developing awareness of one’s breathing followed by wilful regulation of respiration as the functional or vital basis of one’s existence. It helps in developing awareness of one’s mind and helps to establish control over the mind.
• Dhärana indicates broad based field of attention (inside the body and mind) which is usually understood as concentration.
• Dhyäna (meditation) is contemplation (focussed attention inside the body and mind) Samädhi (integration).
• Bandhas and Mudras are practices associated with Pränäyama.
• Teaching methodology in Yoga has also ingrained modern educational methodological rigours into it.

How Yoga Works:

The following are just a few of the mechanisms through which Yoga works as an integrated mind-body medicine:

1. Cleanses the accumulated toxins through various shuddikriyas and generates a sense of relaxed lightness through Yogic sukshmavyayama (simple micro movements for all joints and ligaments of body). Free flow in all bodily passages prevents the many infections that may occur when pathogens stagnate therein.
2. Adoption of a Yogic lifestyle with proper nourishing diet, creates positive antioxidant enhancement thus neutralizing free radicals while enabling a rejuvenative storehouse of nutrients packed with life energy to work on anabolic, reparative and healing processes.
3. Steadies the entire body through different physical postures held in a steady and comfortable manner without strain. Creates physical balance and sense of ease with oneself and also enables all physiological processes to occur in a healthy manner.
4. Improves control over autonomic respiratory mechanisms though breathing patterns that generate energy and enhance emotional stability. The mind and emotions are related to our breathing pattern and rate and hence the slowing down of the breathing process influences autonomic functioning, metabolic processes as well as emotional responses.
5. Integrates body movements with the breath creates psychosomatic harmony
6. Focuses the mind positively on activities being done, enhances energy flow and results in healthy circulation to the different body parts and internal organs.
7. Creates a calm internal environment through contemplative practices that in turn enable normalization of homeostatic mechanisms. Yoga is all about balance at all levels of being. Mental balance produces physical balance and vice versa too.
8. Relaxes the body-emotion-mind complex through physical and mental techniques that enhance our pain threshold and coping ability in responding to external and internal stressors. This enhances the quality of life as seen in so many terminal cases where other therapies are not able to offer any solace.
9. Yoga works towards restoration of normalcy in all systems of the human body with special emphasis on the psycho-neuro-immuno- endocrine axis. In addition to its preventive and restorative capabilities, Yoga also aims at promoting positive health that will help us to tide over health challenges that occur during our lifetime. This concept of positive health is one of Yoga’s unique contributions to modern healthcare as Yoga has both a preventive as well as promotive role in the healthcare of our masses.

Thus, Yoga is a perfect wellness module as it is comprehensive and holistic in its nature. Yogic principles of wellness help to strengthen and develop positive health enabling us to withstand stress better.

Scientific Studies on Yoga:

• Since most of the modem day health problems, particularly the chronic NCDs, are because of faulty life-style, Yoga is useful in combating these disorders and shows that science and spirituality need not always be treated as separate entities.
• Yoga has the potential to solve the lifestyle problems and psychosomatic diseases.
• A series of research studies were carried out across the globe to scientifically evaluate and validate the beneficial effects of Yoga.
• The studies revealed that yoga through its effects on autonomic nervous system and endocrine system influence cellular and molecular aspects of health in Yoga practitioners.
• It was observed that yogic practice brings stability of autonomic equilibrium along with strengthening Of parasympathetic system, thereby minimizing the wear and tear in different physiological systems and thereby slowing down the aging process.
• It also strengthens our immunity thereby preventing diseases.

Yoga and Mental Health:

• Yoga brings about positive health by causing the relaxation of the whole body, slowing down the respiration (making it quiet and deep) and calming the mind, thereby helping in improving attention and concentration.
• It improves awareness of body, emotions and mind; and the flow of healing ‘Pranic Life Energy’.
• Research at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences has also shown that the practice of yoga has effects on biological parameters like increasing the parasympathetic tone, reducing cortisol levels and decreasing the neuro-inflammation in patients with depression. In fact, yoga has been used as a sole treatment for patients with mild to moderate depression in several recent studies in India and abroad.
• Yoga holds promise as a complementary therapy in cases of tobacco, alcohol and opioid dependence along with routine medical intervention
• Current research evidence suggests that yoga can be used as an add-on therapy or in some instances as a sole therapy for psychiatric disorders as well. It not only improves the symptoms, but brings about holistic change in an individual.
• Patanjali in his Yoga sutras says “Yogah chitta vritti nirodhah” which means the primary aim of Yoga is removal of fluctuations or the mind. “Samatvam Yoga Uchyate” which translates to ‘yoga is equanimity of mind in any situation’ is cited in the Bhagavad Gita (5000 BC).
• Yoga has been shown to help improve symptoms in several physical disorders, like diabetes, hypertension, asthma and also in mental disorders like anxiety, depression and psychosis.
• Yoga practice has been reported to help depressive symptoms since a long time.
• It lifts the mood and improves interest in activities, attention/ concentration/memory, sleep and appetite.
• Ashtanga Yoga as outlined by Patanjali, consists of eight limbs: Yama (universal ethics), Niyama (individual ethics), Asana (physical poses), Pranayama (breath control), Pratyahara (control af the senses), Dharana (steadiness of mind), Dhyana (meditation), Samadhi (bliss).
• As per this model, yoga if practiced in the sequence leads to bliss which is the ultimate state.

Increasing Relevance of Yoga in Modern Times

• Ever since UNO declared June 21st as International Day of Yoga (IDY), celebration of this IDY has become a global phenomenon.
• The Union Government with advice from Yoga Gurus in the country has developed a common Yoga Protocol, which can be used worldwide by people.
• The Union Government through the Ministry of AYUSH is promoting Yoga for integrated health of people, irrespective of cultural, racial and religious barriers.
• The aim of the Government is to promote and encourage the youth who have excelled and achieved in the disciplines Of Yoga and sports.
• Hence there is a serious effort to popularize Yoga from school to university levels.
• The great contributions of ancient Indian medical doctors like Charaka, Sushruta, Vagbhata, Madhava, Nagarjuna, vedic sages and others merit our attention. Those concepts have been tested scientifically by modern researchers, through Inter and multi — disciplinary research thus earning name and fame all over the world.
• Yoga would become a powerful means for promoting ageless Indian culture and tradition.

Promotion of Yoga:

• UNESCO inscribed Yoga in the representative list Of Intangible Cultural Heritage Of Humanity
• In order to leverage proper healthcare legacy, the National Health Policy 2017 recommended introduction of Yoga in school and at work places as part of promotion of good health.
• In order to promote Yoga as a part of school curriculum, Yoga Education was made compulsory by National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE), a statutory body under Ministry of Human Resource Development, through its 15 Teacher Education programmes.
• Yoga Certification Board has been established by the Ministry of AYUSH for certification of Yoga professionals and accreditation of Yoga Institutions and Personnel Certification Body.
• UGC has established Yoga Departments in Six Central Universities and framed Standard Yoga Syllabi for various courses e
• Ministry of ExternaI Affairs (MEA) under auspices Of Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) also deputes Yoga teachers to Indian Missions for imparting training to local students and teachers.
• NCERT has taken the initiative of “YOGA OLYMPIAD” for School Children.
• Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY), Ministry of AYUSH, has introduced Yoga training to Central Armed Police Force (CAPF).
• PM Awards on IDY: Four awards, Two National and Two International, have been announced in the field or Yoga.

Conclusion:

 Yoga is a science and a way of healthy living, which helps to achieve a harmonious personality. The holistic wisdom of Yoga and other ancient health systems offers the necessary wisdom, experience and capabilities that are crucial for such transformational change. It is proving to be the most desired traditional system of health and well-being in the present scenario.