Yoga and Environmental Education

Introduction

The origins of yoga can be traced back as far as 3000 BC to the Indus Valley Civilization, where its presence is found in the early texts like the Vedas and Upanishads. These texts have mentioned yoga’s philosophical underpinnings, emphasizing the interconnectedness of all beings and the pursuit of liberation from suffering. Later, yoga was then further codified in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali during the classical period around 500 BC. In the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, eight limbs of yoga have been outlined which includes ethical principles (Yamas and Niyamas), physical postures (Asanas), and meditation practices. Yoga as a practice and philosophy, which has found its roots in India’s cultural and traditional history has evolved and crossed all cultural barriers and has become known to all across the world through famous figures like Swami Vivekananda, who was a well known Indian philosopher and author and Bellur Krishnamachar Sundararaja Iyengar, a renowned yoga teacher and author.

The word Yoga is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘yuj’ which means ‘to unite’. So, its literal meaning is ‘union’ and can be defined as the process of bridging the gap between individual self and the supreme self, that is the universal spirit. Yoga’s main philosophy lies in the profound belief of interconnectedness, whereby everything in the universe, including our individual selves, vibrates in harmonious unity. It further propagates that one’s mind, body and spirit is no longer seen as separate entities and is intertwined as inseparable facets of the whole. In his acclaimed book ‘Yoga for a World Out of Balance’, an esteemed yoga teacher Michael Stone puts forth his views that, “The techniques of yoga, including body practices, working with the breath, and discovering the natural east of the mind, reorient practitioners to the very deep continuity that runs through every aspect of life until they realize that the mind, body, and breath are situated in the world and not apart from worldly life in any way.” Thus, it fosters the feeling of harmony, balance and interconnectedness. Furthermore, extensive research investigating yoga in clinical settings has demonstrated encouraging results for both physical and mental well-being of the practitioner (Chakravorty, 2021).

Traditionally, yoga thrived in the embrace of nature and was practiced by the yoga practitioners in mountains, forests, or beside rivers and seas whereby they imbibed the virtue of self sufficiency through gardening, animal care, and wilderness survival. This intense connection with nature was not merely incidental but, as a matter of fact, it fueled the growth of yogic wisdom within them. However, in recent times, the natural roots of yoga have often become tangled, if not severed, amidst the part and parcel of modern life. The modern day yoga is being attributed to the physical postures (or asanas) and breathing exercises. It is perceived by the people primarily as a physical exercise activity in order to manage or treat any health condition but that is only one aspect of yoga and it has more to it (Ross et al., 2013).

Amidst the rising global environmental crisis, it is a stark reminder that yoga’s ancient wisdom about nature’s importance is not a relic of the past, but a requisite component for the future. In the recent era, there is rising concern about the constant environmental degradation which includes deforestation, environmental pollution, loss of biodiversity, etc. These natural disasters have a significant impact on the physical and mental health of those affected. People might become anxious and depressed and easily start manifesting conditions such as aggression, hyper vigilance and sleep disturbance. Various research studies show that climate change is adding to the mental health problems of people who rely heavily on nature for their livelihood. However, there have also been case studies where they have done an assessment of the interplay between yogic practices, connectivity with nature and climate change. The results from these studies demonstrate that yoga cultivates a deeper connection with the environment which naturally converts into more mindful and responsible choices for the planet. It fosters positive emotions like happiness and interconnectedness, empowering practitioners to become active advocates of environmental conservation. The practitioners are then more inclined in making efforts to mitigate climate change. Yoga offers a powerful tool for mobilizing individuals towards environmental action (Kanchibhotla et al., 2021).