Yoga and Psychology

According to the Kosha system in Yogic philosophy, the nature of being human encompasses physical and psychological aspects that function as one holistic system. The Kosha Yoga system refers to these different aspects as layers of subjective experience. Layers range from the dense physical body to the more subtle levels of emotions, mind and spirit.

Psychology in Yoga refers to the emotional, mental and spiritual aspects of our being. Together, all aspects make up our subjective experience of being alive.

Layers influence each other. For example, our thoughts and emotions influence physical posture and breathing patterns; while our posture and breathing influence our thoughts and feelings. Posture is a reflection of our psychological attitude towards our lives and our selves. It also offers a tangible way of meeting our psychological needs through their expression in physical form.

Thought patterns and emotions can result in a body posture and breathing patterns that can become fixed over time. This results in a situation where the body, in turn, then perpetuates thought

Unhealthy posture results from high levels of muscle tension or collapse that can be detrimental to body and mind. A fit and toned body with balanced, comfortable posture is not only healthy, it also breaks the physical link to harmful ways of thinking and feeling.

Although you may not always be aware of your posture, or moment-to-moment postural shifts, you can train yourself to become more aware and influential.

Yoga offers practical tools for achieving a posture that is comfortable, supportive and empowering. The knowledge that it is possible to influence your shape in this way in itself can be empowering. It cultivates a sense of confidence in your ability to navigate life’s ups and downs more skillfully.

Yoga For Psychological Health

The physical and mental centering attained through Yoga postures and meditation can help cultivate a deep, sustainable inner peacefulness. This can help you remain centered in the face of emotional storms and help control cravings and addictive behavior. It also helps you think more clearly more consistently.

Yoga exercises and postures also help promote breath awareness, through attention to breath in postures and meditation. This enables you to maintain calm, steady breathing.

Breath and emotions are intimately connected. Breathing is influenced by emotions. When a strong emotion is present, for instance, breathing gets shallow, or irregular, restricted or fast. Conversely, by controlling your breathing, you can improve your sense of well-being by controlling your reactions in an emotional situation.

Breathing that is calm, full and steady goes with clearer thinking and with a mental emotional state that is calm and steady.

Together, the basic elements in Hatha Yoga practice – posture, breathing and mental focus – cultivate a state of balance in body and mind.

Tags: Kosha Yoga and Psychology, Yoga and Psychology, Yoga For Psychological Health

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