Yoga is a science centered on Awareness & Consciousness. Any conventional voluntary or involuntary act becomes an act of yoga the moment one becomes fully conscious of that very act.

For instance, consider the various poses our bodies naturally assume throughout the day. Although the body is always in some position, the moment one becomes fully conscious of these physical positions, they are called Asanas. The same is true for breathing; one breathes 21,600 times a day, often without being aware of this vital process. However, the moment one becomes fully aware of one’s breathing, it becomes Pranayama. The same principle applies to thinking: the human mind produces 60,000 to 80,000 thoughts a day. The moment one becomes fully aware of the process of thinking, it is called meditation.

Awareness or consciousness is generally understood as ‘being aware or conscious of something.’ It is considered an outwardly oriented faculty that always seems to be about something; knowing THIS or THAT.

However, in yogic psychology, it encompasses the state of being as well as the process of knowing, including both aspects. Moreover, pure awareness or consciousness in yoga refers to one’s being as Self or I.

The principle in yoga is that self-awareness leads to wellness, while a lack of self-awareness leads to illness. The idea of the self may begin with the Body, Breath, and Mind relationships. However, as awareness enhances, the idea of self also evolves; one begins to become more aware of the deeper dimensions of oneself.

People often think of wellness in terms of physical health alone, which involves physical exercise, nutrition, weight management, etc. In the yogic view, the idea of wellness or well-being aligns with the modern concept of holistic health. The Sanskrit word for health, ‘Swasthya,’ meaning ‘settling in the self,’ clearly reflects this idea.

Ayurveda, a sister science of yoga, defines health as:

समदोष समाग्निश्च समाधातु मलक्रिया ।

प्रसन्नात्मेन्द्रिय मन: स्वस्थेत्यभिधीयते ॥

(Samadosha, samagnischa, samadhatumalkriyah. Prasannatmendriyamanah, swastha iti abhidhiyate.)

– Susrutha Samhita: Sutrasthana -15/10

Meaning: A person whose bodily humors, digestive fire, tissues, and physiological functions are in balance, and whose soul, senses, and mind are endowed with stillness, clarity, and pleasantness, is considered healthy.

It appears that what Yoga and Ayurveda articulated thousands of years ago, modern medical science has begun to accept today. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”

Modern medical studies suggest that most diseases can be classified, to some degree, as psychosomatic, being directly caused or influenced by thoughts and emotions. Scientists have recognized that psychosomatic diseases cannot truly be cured solely by conventional methods of medicine or psychotherapy, because if a disease originates in the mind and through emotional reactions, how can an external therapy alone restore health? Relying merely on external methods of medication without understanding one’s own mind and emotions may lead one to become dependent on therapists or physicians for help. In contrast, self-awareness-based practices make people self-reliant and help them attain the inner strength necessary to deal more effectively with life’s challenges. Unfortunately, while many claim to be self-aware, in reality, only a few truly are.

Simple practices toward self-awareness include:

1. Keeping the spinal cord erect, relaxing the forehead, jaws, and shoulders at all times.
2. Mentally scanning the body from top to toe and bringing awareness to body postures multiple times a day.
3. Practicing simple breath awareness in any position, and diaphragmatic breathing in Makarasana (Crocodile posture).
4. Learning the science and art of systematic relaxation (from a competent guide).
5. Practicing yogic postures or any form of physical exercise, combining breath awareness with it.
6. Engaging in 3 to 5 minutes of meditation several times during the day.