Psychological Benefit of Yoga: An Overview

Pages: 566-568
Poonam Singh (Department of Psychology, Munshi Singh College, Motihari, Bihar)

In today’s scenario, yoga is essential to maintain a balance between human and its environment. It has not only physical benefits but also brings a balance between body, soul, and mind. In today’s scenario, it has become very difficult to be happy due to a wide variety of responsibilities, lengthy working hours and hectic schedules. So it has become difficult to maintain a balance between personal and work life which consequently leads to health issues. By performing yoga, one can overcome these health issues. The present review is focused on throwing light on the relevance of yoga and exploring the psychological benefits associated with practising yoga. Paper has tried to explore the scientific-spiritual discipline of Yoga described in Indian Vedic literature like Rigved, Yajurved, Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita (Yoga-Shastra) and Ayurveda (yoga as health care system). Paper has also revealed psychological benefits of practising yoga like it helps the body to release helpful brain chemicals, reduces stress, overcome anxiety and depression, improves sleep, promote healthy lifestyle habits, makes individual cognitively aware, protect from damage of chronic inflammation, improve mood and helps to overcome from tragic past memories. Yoga is beneficial for patients as well as for normal individuals.