Whenever we hear the word yoga, we usually relate it with Asanas and Pranayams. The Patanjal Yoga Sutras is the authoritative text that defines the principles of yoga in its entirety. There are 4 sections of this text with a total of 195 sutras. Out of these 195 sutras, only two have a mention of asanas and five about Pranayams with their benefits.
The rest of the sutras speak:
- About the mind,
- The causes of limitations of the mind
- Different techniques to work on the mind
- Different types of meditations
- Going beyond the mind
- Powers of our mind
- States and experiences beyond the mind, etc.
When the Yoga Sutras were formulated over 2500 years ago, the main intention was to go beyond the mind, for the purpose of emancipation or liberation; something that most of us today, may not relate with. Yet, what has been spoken; about the mind, causes of stress and the techniques to overcome it remains relevant to this date.
Not only have there been words of praise for the treasure of wisdom found in the yoga sutras, but it has also been used to prepare the ground work of modern-day psychology by some of its eminent founders including Sigmund Freud, Carl Jung, etc.
Yoga psychology is an attempt to present the age-old wisdom of Yoga Philosophy as a logical conversation which can be easily understood and related to the present-day problems of this new generation.
The application is infinite; from overcoming simple anxiety, relationship or parenting issues, to severe depression, suicidal tendencies, ragging as well as hypertension, diabetes, asthma, migraine and various other health issues.