Exploring Wellness Through Yogic Theories
Living a Happier, Healthier Life through Yoga and Ayurveda
Who doesn't crave happiness? For many, seeking joy is the driving force behind adopting spiritual or religious practices. Yoga and Yogic philosophy can provide valuable insights and tools to help better our lives. In this revamped article, we bridge the gap between Yogic teachings about happiness and the health-promoting practices of yoga and Ayurveda.
Life's Simple Pleasures vs Lasting Happiness
When asked what happiness is, my students offer varied examples: gatherings with family, long walks in nature, lying on a beach, and dancing, to name a few. All these moments of joy are temporary pleasures, and it's vital to recognize the difference between pleasure and happiness.
Temporary Pleasures vs Enduring Happiness
Pleasure is the momentary delight our senses experience when they are briefly satisfied. As one pleasure fades, we often seek the next source of pleasure. Happiness, however, is a deeper feeling that occurs when our expectations are consistently fulfilled over an extended period.
The Six Pillars of Happiness
By studying the expectations people hold for their lives, I've identified a universal framework I call the "six pillars of happiness." Meeting expectations in these areas can lead to a happier, balanced life.
- Health - Holistic health through yoga, asana, Ayurveda, pranayama, pratyahara, and meditation.
- Career and Productivity
- Relationships
- Leisure and Fun
- Spirituality
- Lifestyle
Health: The Foundation of Happiness
In my experience, the six pillars are all equally important, yet the pillar of health holds a slightly greater significance. When our health suffers, it makes it challenging to achieve lasting happiness, even when all other pillars are met.
Health in Yogic Philosophy
Health is not just about the physical body. We are made up of three interconnected bodies:
- Physical Body - comprised of the five elements: earth, water, fire, air, and ether.
- Energy Body - made up of 19 elements, including the five organs of action, the five pranas, the five senses of knowledge, the four elements of the inner instruments, and the soul.
- Spiritual Body - the seed body, which continues between lives, storing subtle impressions as karma.
In yoga, practices are designed to balance and nurture all three bodies for overall, holistic health.
Yoga Strategies for Complete Health
Yoga and Ayurveda offer various practices to promote health for the whole person:
- Physical Body - yoga asanas, Ayurvedic diet and natural remedies to balance the metabolism and body tissues, improve waste removal, stimulate the endocrine system, and support nervous system balance.
- Energy Body - pranayama to purify the energy channels and expand the capacity to retain life force, pratyahara to withdraw the senses and calm the mind, and dharana (concentration) to improve mental focus.
- Spiritual Body - meditation for inner peace, wisdom, self-realization, and connection to the soul; vivek and vairagya to recognize the difference between the real and the unreal, and develop dispassion for the unreal.
Learn more about these four ancient yoga philosophy practices in our free e-book, "Spiritual Practices for a Happier, More Balanced Life." By striking a balance across these three bodies, you'll pave the way to a happier, healthier life.
The yogic philosophy illustrates the importance of holistic health, emphasizing that health encompasses the physical, energy, and spiritual bodies. This comprehension of health aligns with the science behind health-and-wellness, as the practices of yoga and Ayurveda aim to maintain overall well-being by promoting harmony across these interconnected bodies.
Incorporating yoga strategies such as asanas, pranayama, pratyahara, meditation, and practices derived from Ayurveda into one's life can contribute significantly to the health pillar of happiness, serving as the foundation for a happier and balanced life.
