Yoga is a part of Indian Spiritual tradition and evolved out of Northern India over 5000 years ago. In Rig Veda, the word 'Yoga' is first used. Maharshi Patanjali is considered to be the father of Modern Yoga. Yoga evolved with the growth of Sanatan Dharma religions and its mediaeval culture associated with Vedic rural populations. We must not equate it with the Indus Valley Civilization, as it was urban at its core and was primarily based on trade rather than spirituality.

However, the Number of seals and fossil remains of Indus Saraswati valley civilization with Yogic motives and figures performing Yoga Sadhana suggest the presence of Yoga in ancient India. The phallic symbols, seals of idols of mother Goddess are suggestive of Tantra Yoga. Presence of Yoga is available in folk traditions, Indus valley civilization, Vedic and Upanishadic heritage, Buddhist and Jain traditions, Darshanas, epics of Mahabharat and Ramayana, theistic traditions of Shaivas, Vaishnavas, and Tantric traditions. In addition, there was a primordial or pure Yoga which has been manifested in mystical traditions of South Asia.

What Are the Types of Yoga?

There are six branches of yoga. Each branch represents a different focus and set of characteristics. The six branches are:

Hatha yoga: It is a physical and mental practice that aims to prepare the body and mind.

Raja yoga: This branch focuses on meditation and strict adherence to a set of disciplinary steps known as the eight limbs of yoga.

Karma yoga: It is a path of service that seeks to create a future devoid of negativity and selfishness.

Bhakti yoga: It seeks to establish a path of devotion, a positive way to channel emotions while cultivating acceptance and tolerance.

Jnana yoga: It is a branch of yoga that focuses on wisdom, the scholar's path, and intellectual development through study.

Tantra yoga: It refers to the ritual, ceremony, or consummation of a relationship.

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Is Yoga Science, Exercise, or Arts?

In my opinion, Yoga is a different kind of spiritual practice rather than a rational science or conventional sports-like exercise. Yoga can be considered to be Art to an extent but not much. It's more like a cultural practice that evolved out of the Vedic population in a nutshell.

Why Integrate Yoga in Mental Health Care?

Yoga is a stress-relieving practice and can ease depression. Researchers found that Yoga is useful in psychotherapy and medications. When you practice yoga, you do a variety of mind-body practices such as –

Stretching your body.

Strengthening your muscles.

Deep breathing.

Concentration exercises.

Meditation techniques.

All these combined in different forms of Yoga. It helps people to relieve stress and reduce anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges. Regular yoga practice can promote endurance, strength, calmness, flexibility, and well-being.

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What Are the Benefits of Yoga?

Yoga has numerous physical and mental benefits, including:

building muscle strength

enhancing the flexibility of the body

promoting better breathing

supporting heart health

helping with treatment for addiction

reducing stress, anxiety, depression, and chronic pain

improving overall sleep

enhancing overall well-being and quality of life

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What Are Mindfulness Practices?

Similar to yoga, another age-old technique that has been gaining special attention in recent years is mindfulness. Mindfulness is an ancient practice from the Buddhist culture, and it emphasises focused attention to the present moment and acceptance of internal experiences, and being non-judgemental.

Mindfulness is the fundamental human ability to be fully present, aware of where we are and what we are doing, without becoming overly reactive or overwhelmed by what is going on around us. Mindfulness is a quality that every human being possesses; it is not something you must cultivate; you simply need to learn how to access it.

Mindfulness can be achieved through various practices, including sitting, walking, standing, and moving meditation (lying down can lead to sleep), as well as short pauses in daily life. Integrating meditation into other activities, such as yoga or sports.

How Mindfulness Benefits the Mind

Mindfulness practices help people to calm their minds, clear their thoughts, and be peaceful at themselves. It helps in their mental well-being. Evidence favours positive effects of mindfulness on mental health, such as improvement in coping, self-compassion and reduction of stress, anxiety, depression, and obsessions.

Mindfulness meditation increases metacognitive awareness, reduces rumination by disengaging from perseverative cognitive activities, and improves attentional capacities by increasing working memory. These cognitive gains, in turn, help to develop effective emotion regulation strategies.

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