Yoga for mental Health
On the occasion of World Mental Health day on October 10th, we share a few thoughts on how yoga can help with improving mental health and sustaining good mental well-being. Read on
Defining mental health
The WHO defines mental health as: “a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realise their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community. Mental health is more than the absence of mental disorders. It exists on a complex continuum, which is experienced differently from one person to the next.”
Good mental well-being allows us to engage in life activities with calmness, effectiveness, and without undue disturbance to our state of mind. It is perhaps the most important aspect of overall well-being, and helps us feel happy and content.
Symptoms of poor mental health
Poor mental well-being can be correlated with one or more of the following symptoms: restlessness, worry, anxiety, sleep disturbance, fatigue, overwhelm, difficulty making decisions, challenge in managing one’s emotions, and situations of conflict.
How Yoga can help
Yoga philosophy describes the nature of the human mind and postulates a direct and strong link between the state of the mind, and the breath. Slow or rhythmic conscious breathing has a profound effect on our mind; it often immediately quietens and calms the mind. Along with movements (Asana), conscious breathing (pranayama) can regulate the nervous system and other functions of the body as well.
Therefore, Asana-pranayama and meditative practices are excellent ways of regularly de-stressing ourselves, maintaining good mental well-being and improving mental clarity. This leads to more ease in managing one’s roles and responsibilities, and better response to stressful situations. This clarity also helps us identify our patterns of stress, and change our behaviours and outlook on life. Thereby, one is able to lead life with a greater sense of happiness, contentment and ease.
With the growing pressures in all aspects of life - socially, professionally - the importance of mental wellness cannot be emphasized sufficiently. It is important that individuals take charge of their mental well-being and do something for sustaining it. At the same time it is equally important to ponder how each one of us is contributing to the stressors socially and professionally and what we can do to reduce stressors in the various contexts that we are in.
At Vishoka, not only do we offer services for mental and emotional well-being to individuals, we keep asking these questions for ourselves in the various roles we are in - as a spouse, parent, professional member of the organization etc. As the African philosophy of Ubuntu emphasizes interconnectedness, shared responsibility, and trust in the community. And so mental health is not just an individual problem but a shared responsibility.
Start your journey towards better mental health with any one of our services, based on what works for you -
Yoga Therapy, Group Yoga Classes, Personal Healing, Chanting.
Alternatively call or whatsapp us at 7904164276 to discuss options that would be best suited to you.
You can read more about The Promise of Yoga and What is Yoga
