Can yoga improve one's well-being? Shared aims of psychology and yoga (PDF)

Scientific Essay from the year 2018 in the subject Psychology - Ancillary Science, grade: 71/100 (distinction), University of East London (Applied Positive Psychology & Coaching Psychology), language: English, abstract: This paper explores how yoga could enrich the field of positive psychology. The author briefly defines positive psychology and yoga and addresses their shared aims.

The paper critically views recent studies on yoga within psychology, touching on general findings, following by an investigation of the distinct benefits of yoga related to positive psychology. After that, the continued need for further research to recognise untapped opportunities within the yogic tradition, beyond the benefits of physical postures (asana), is discussed. The author concludes that a spiritual development might indeed be sparked through the present approach to yoga in the west.

Since the early days of Western psychology, at the beginning of the 20th century, the science of the soul has been drawn to Eastern traditions. Since then, interest in Eastern traditions, especially in yoga, has increased exponentially. Today, over 37 million people practice yoga in the US and 0.5 million in the UK alone in order to cultivate aspects of physiological and psychological wellbeing. Within psychology, interest in wellbeing concepts marked the beginnings of positive psychology. The "science and practice of improving wellbeing" has started to investigate the benefits of yoga.

Yoga and positive psychology share this strong interest in increased wellbeing. Within positive psychology, this encompasses optimal functioning, self-actualisation, and flourishing, referring to the condition of our existence we wish to experience and the aim of our quest. In yoga, the idea of cultivating overall psychological wellbeing is very much in line with the notion of positive psychology, which vouches for an approach that welcomes all emotions.