Yoga and Psychology: The Relationship
While you might be familiar with yoga’s physical practice, it is not all that yoga is. Yoga is a holistic practice, and a lifestyle, which encompasses many life principles.
- Yama (moral code)
- Niyama (self-discipline).
- Asanas (postures or poses)
- Pranayama (mindfulness in breathing)
- Pratyahara, (detachment of senses)
- Dharana (concentration)
- Dhyanna is meditation or positive, mindful focus on present.
- Savasana (the state of rest)
- Samadhi (ecstasy; Ivtzan & Papantoniou, 2014)
Asanas, savasana and other forms of yoga are primarily focused on the physical experience. Rest of the activities are focused on mental, emotional, or spiritual experiences.
Yoga is more about the practitioner’s inner experience of yoga than on their outer experience (i.e. worrying about the body). A true yoga practice requires introspection, reflection, as well as earnest consideration of one’s self. It’s a way to get in touch with our thoughts, feelings and core values. This opens up the door to our deeper, more authentic selves.
This way, yoga and psychology can be seen as one subject. However, yoga and psychology are so closely connected that it is even more inextricably linked to the subfield called positive psychology.
Yoga and Positive Psychology
Yoga and positive psychology have strong links. Although yoga was originally practiced with a different focus, it is still widely used in Western countries to improve wellbeing (Ivtzan, Papantoniou 2014). Yoga is used in many positive psychology interventions and exercises because wellbeing is a key topic.
Yoga offers a great opportunity to enter flow. This is the state where you are fully present and engaged in the moment without paying attention to the passing time. Yoga can be a great way to increase mindfulness, awareness, and focus on the present moment.
Click here to learn more about yoga and positive psychology. What you will learn:
- Positive psychology highlights the history, core contributors and key traits.
- Through the Yoga Sutras, and the Paths of Yoga, we can see the inherent similarities between yoga & positive psychology.
- Comparison of the Yamas and Niyamas with concepts of positive psychology
- You can incorporate practical interventions into your yoga practice or your daily life to improve your yoga practice.
- YogaFit Essence, Transformational Language and their natural connection
- Spezialized cueing and selection of poses
- This section will teach you about yoga and other mental health activities.
