Yoga for Psychiatry and Mental Health: An Ancient Practice with Modern Relevance

• Published in: Indian journal of psychiatry 2013-07, Vol.55 (7), p.334-336
• Main Author: Khalsa, Sat Bir
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Health aspects; Mental health; Psychological aspects; Yoga
• ISSN: 0019-5545; 1998-3794
• DOI: 10.4103/0019-5545.116298

Although yoga in modern society has been often thought of as a form of physical exercise, traditionally, yoga practice has been a multicomponent discipline involving postures and physical exercises, breath regulation techniques and the control of attention and enhancement of mindful awareness through the practice of meditation. These practices are often accompanied by a distinct psychology and philosophy in the practice of a "yoga life-style." Historically, the practice of yoga was a spiritual discipline whose goal was spiritual advancement and these component practices were intended to create an ideal state of psychophysiological health and optimal functioning of body and mind in support of contemplative states of consciousness. However, in modern society, these yoga practices have often been used in a more limited application in order to maintain physical fitness and psychological well-being and also as a therapeutic intervention for psychological and medical disorders, or so called "yoga therapy," both of which have become highly popular in the general public internationally. [1] Documented evidence for the systematic use of yoga as therapy appears in the early 20 th century in India, [2] and the popularity of yoga therapy has grown steadily both in India and internationally.