People who practice yoga, focus on intentional training of the mind, body, and spirit. Typically, a yoga program will consist of a series of movements and/or meditation. In return, the practice has positive results on mental health such as an increase in mindfulness, the promotion of harmony, and holistic health. As well as help with pain management. Throughout this essay, we will see how yoga impacts these areas.
Did you know that educators are implementing yoga in the classrooms to help children practice mindfulness? According to an Educational Psychology Review article, yoga practices as a form of mental training are intended to generate changes in the cognitive and emotional processes like attention and self-monitoring of negative thoughts. Yoga extends beyond just Movement-based Yoga programs. In parts of the world, yoga is practiced as a religion. However, educators borrowed from the concepts to create educational-centered yoga programs. The programs may include multi-step instructions that teach self-discipline, physical postures, moral observances, breath regulation, effortless mediation, and focused concentration. This has led to results that have helped children manage their anxiety. Children learning a mindful breathing exercise to help with stress shows them that they have the choice to feel anxious or not and thus improves their behaviors and relationship with peers.
“Mental Health” according to WHO- places an emphasis on “A state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the everyday stress of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to contribute to his or her community. Yoga provides a deeper understanding of this and thus leads to a realization of Self and this helps attains holistic health. Some Indian philosophies believe that the mind and body have interdependence. A certain type of mind goes with a certain type of body. Our emotions secrete hormones that influence our bodies. So, we must protect our thoughts, as negative thoughts may lead to disease. Serotonin, Melatonin, and Dopamine are released when we have positive thoughts, and emotions of happiness, peace, and harmony. This is why practicing Yoga, helps lead us to a healthier self.
Training the mind and body through Yoga has helped people who are dealing with chronic pain and are looking for an alternative to narcotic pain medications. Many ailments such as chronic lower back pain, persistent pain, and arthritic hands have Yoga on a list of treatment options. Why? Because Yoga helps with flexibility, conscience movement, and mobility. Pretty simple. According to Dr. Muller, motivated patients can find yoga to be beneficial. Yoga is used as part of recovery programs for many diverse groups of people. Go to your nearest Army base and you can find a group of soldiers who are practicing some form of yoga in between physical training and field exercises. Or even your local YMCA- and peek in the class, you will find many people (such as me), who partake in the class to help alleviate chronic pain.
So far, we have learned how yoga can be implemented as part of educational programs to help children manage their emotions while learning. As a result, children were able to identify when they are experiencing anxiety and chose to not feel anxious. We also learned how the power of positive thinking and intentional movement leads to a high view of self-realization, thus attaining holistic health. Also, we have learned how practicing Yoga can be used as part of recovery programs for people with chronic diseases which in turn can be used as an alternative to pain medication management.
1. Cagas, Jonathan. “Physiological and Psychological Responses to Different Yoga Styles.” Yoga Mimamsa, vol. 50, no. 2, 2018, pp. 53–59., https://doi.org/10.4103/ym.ym_15_18.
2. Ceniceros, Roberto. “Yoga Classes Positioned As Alternative to Pain Meds; Practice Used in Functional Restoration Programs.” Business Insurance, vol. 47, no. 3, 2013, pp. 0001–0001 https://spclibrary.on.worldcat.org/oclc/4951645833
3. Rashedi, Roxanne N, and Kimberly A Schonert-Reichl. “Yoga and Willful Embodiment: A New Direction for Improving Education.” Educational Psychology Review, vol. 31, no. 3, 2019, pp. 725–734. https://spclibrary.on.worldcat.org/oclc/8671066647
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