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.
Table of Contents
How could yoga enrich the field of positive psychology?
Making a case for an integration of spiritual aspects.
Objective and Key Themes
The primary objective of this work is to explore how the integration of traditional spiritual aspects of yoga can enrich the contemporary field of positive psychology. The author critically evaluates existing research, noting that current psychological studies often focus narrowly on the physical postures (asana) of yoga, and argues that incorporating deeper yogic concepts such as meaning, self-transcendence, and spirituality offers a more comprehensive framework for understanding human wellbeing.
- Theoretical alignment between yoga philosophy and positive psychology goals
- Critique of the current "physical-only" focus in Western yoga research
- The role of spiritual practices in fostering eudaimonic wellbeing
- Meaning-making and self-transcendence as key mediators for psychological health
- Advocacy for more robust, qualitative research beyond symptom reduction
Excerpt from the Book
How could yoga enrich the field of positive psychology?
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 (Feuerstein, 2013). Carl Jung, who himself practiced Kundalini Yoga—an occult form of Hindu Tantra—believed “the wisdom and mysticism of the East, have, (…) very much to say to us.” (Jung, 1978, p. 185 as cited in Feuerstein, 2013). Since then, interest in Eastern traditions, especially in yoga, have increased exponentially. Today, over 37 million people practice yoga in the US (Yoga Journal & Yoga Alliance, 2016) and 0.5 million in the UK alone (Hasselle-Newcombe, 2005)—to cultivate aspects of physiological and psychological wellbeing (Singleton, 2010). Within psychology, interest in wellbeing concepts marked the beginnings of positive psychology. The “science and practice of improving wellbeing” (Lomas, Hefferon, & Ivtzan, 2015, p. 1347) has started to investigate the benefits of yoga. This essay explores how yoga could enrich the field of positive psychology, while making a case for a consideration of spiritual aspects in the research.
I will therefore briefly define positive psychology and yoga in the context of this essay and look at their shared aims. The essay will critically discuss recent studies on yoga within psychology, touching on general findings, then investigating further into the distinct benefits of yoga related to positive psychology. I will discuss the continued need for further research to recognise untapped opportunities within the yogic tradition—beyond the benefits of physical postures (asana). I will suggest that spiritual development might indeed be sparked through the present approach to yoga in the west. This tradition however, has more to offer positive psychology, specifically by deepening our understanding of the concept of wellbeing, including the areas of spirituality, meaning, and self-transcendence.
Summary of Chapters
How could yoga enrich the field of positive psychology?: This chapter introduces the historical connection between Western psychology and Eastern traditions, establishing the central research question regarding the integration of spiritual aspects into current wellbeing research.
Making a case for an integration of spiritual aspects.: This section expands on the core argument, emphasizing that while yoga is often treated as mere physical exercise, its potential for positive psychology lies in its deeper, ancient roots concerning self-transcendence and spiritual development.
Keywords
Positive Psychology, Yoga, Wellbeing, Spirituality, Meaning, Self-Transcendence, Asana, Eudaimonia, Hedonia, Consciousness, Mental Health, Mindfulness, Self-Realization, Research Methodology, Integrative Psychology
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper examines the relationship between yoga and positive psychology, specifically arguing that the field of positive psychology could significantly benefit by looking beyond the physical aspects of yoga to incorporate its original spiritual traditions.
What are the primary themes discussed in the work?
The work covers the historical links between Eastern traditions and psychology, the distinction between hedonic and eudaimonic wellbeing, the therapeutic applications of yoga, and the necessity of exploring spiritual concepts like meaning-making and self-transcendence.
What is the author's primary research goal?
The goal is to determine how the integration of traditional spiritual elements of yoga—which are currently overlooked in favor of physical posture-based research—can provide a deeper understanding of human flourishing and wellbeing.
Which scientific methodologies are mentioned?
The author reviews existing quantitative studies on symptom reduction and wellbeing, while simultaneously advocating for more qualitative research approaches that are sensitive to individual differences and the nuanced, subjective experiences of yoga practitioners.
What does the main body of the text address?
It addresses the alignment of goals between yoga and positive psychology, a critical review of current research limitations, the potential for spiritual practices to foster deeper states of consciousness, and the importance of meaning and purpose.
Which keywords define this paper?
Key terms include Positive Psychology, Yoga, Wellbeing, Spirituality, Meaning, Self-Transcendence, Asana, Eudaimonia, and Consciousness.
How does the author characterize the Western approach to yoga?
The author observes that the West largely interprets yoga as a form of "mind-body exercise" or sport, focusing primarily on asana practice while often neglecting the underlying spiritual and philosophical systems.
What is the significance of the concept of self-transcendence in this context?
Self-transcendence is identified as an essential, yet under-researched, state that goes beyond hedonic pleasure, representing a connection to something "bigger than the self" and contributing to a fuller, more profound experience of wellbeing.
Why does the author suggest that yoga research needs to go beyond physical exercise?
The author argues that while physical postures have documented benefits, limiting yoga to exercise ignores its broader potential to offer a roadmap for understanding states of consciousness and the deeper human search for meaning.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Charlotte Friedrich (Autor:in), 2018, Can yoga improve one’s well-being? Shared aims of psychology and yoga, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/489481
