Nurturing Harmony the Yogic Way
By Dr Chandra Nanthakumar
In this contemporary society, where the greater population is always talking about tight deadlines and impending targets, stress, anxiety and also depressive moods have become commonplace. In the hope of bringing these mental health issues to a decline, barely enough is being done to help the sufferer cope with the situation and also ease the burden of the victim’s family.
Most schools, if not all, and higher education institutions provide counselling services to those in need of help at zero cost. Teachers and lecturers are usually quick at identifying troubled teenagers and channeling them to the right place. After many consultations and follow-up sessions, the verdict seems to be almost always the same – “the root cause of the mental health issue is due to disharmony at home”. It is either parents are constantly at loggerheads with each other or with the children, or there is lack of communication between the parent(s) and the victim, or the children feel neglected especially when both parents are at work.
At the work front, employers are constantly on the look-out for ways and means to increase teamwork, happiness and harmony amongst their employees. While the intentions for wanting to create a healthy workplace appear noble, they are usually transitory. Troubled employees may find themselves falling back into that web of a vicious cycle – perked up and elated when engaged in a teambuilding activity, but miserable and stressed-out when they are back to reality at the office station. At this point, some may seek solace by doing drugs, drinking and smoking or going into seclusion. Adversity sets in when these individuals start planting suicidal thoughts in their minds. According to Ishak (2022), Malaysia recorded an increase of 81% or 1,142 suicide cases in 2021, compared to 631 cases in 2020. Similarly, the National Health Morbidity Survey 2022 reported an increase from 6.9% in 2017 to 9.5% in 2022 in the rate of attempted suicides amongst teenagers (Codeblue, 2022).
The housewife and the unemployed are neither spared. The daily chores that keep mounting up for the former, and the lack of security due to absence of an income for the latter can be quite intimidating. While some may choose to fight the battle by seeking help, which could be an uphill task, others may opt to suffer in silence. Either way, if the selected path is not treaded carefully, the outcome would be nothing but anger, sadness, misery, depression and/or anxiety. All these emotions will eventually lead to disharmony within the self and with others.
Hence, it seems to be that regardless of age, gender or creed, disharmony is lurking in every nook and corner – in the society and also within an individual’s mind. The question that arises now is that what can be done to create and live in harmony.
Before attempting to build harmony with others, it is more crucial for the individual to dwell in harmony with the self. While there are tools out there which may help one achieve this goal, the practice of yoga is not to be missed. It is an ancient science of holistic approach to wellness. Through the practice, one will be able to interconnect the mind, body and spirit, and develop harmony to greater heights of well-being.
It is my belief that harmony is all about being:
Hearty | Amicable | Radiant | Magical | Objective | Nifty | Youthful
As simple as it sounds, some level of physical, mental and emotional effort is certainly needed to achieve these traits.
The physical dimension of yoga encompasses mindful body movements (asanas) that coordinate with breath. These magical movements not only bring about enhanced flexibility, increased strength, greater joint mobility and balance, but it also induces tranquility to the mind. Regardless of the intensity of the practice or type of yoga (i.e. be it a gentle hatha yoga sequence or a dynamic vinyasa), one will still be able to reap the benefits of the practice as each style offers benefits to tailor to the needs of the individual. In order to nurture harmony within the self, the individual has to remain devoted to the practice. Regular practice not only improves physical fitness but also fosters a deeper connection with the body, fostering a sense of embodiment and appreciation for its capabilities. Feeling hearty, the individual becomes more radiant, and nifty.
The mental aspect of yoga encompasses the paths of pratyahara (withdrawal of senses), dharana (concentration) and dhyana (meditation). With so much going on around us, these meditative practices are simply heavenly as they provide a sanctuary for the mind and mental well-being. It is these practices that help harmonise the mind and the body, and cultivate present-day awareness. A simple five-minute meditation practice, where the practitioner is made to observe their thoughts without judgment and to be aware of their in- and out-breath, can develop a sense of calmness to the whole mind and body. With regular and extended practice, the practitioner will find themselves being empowered magically to navigate challenges in life with greater resilience in an amicable manner.
The practice of yoga is so holistic that it offers a safe avenue for an individual to process their thoughts especially if are carrying a heavy emotional baggage. For instance, heart-opening asanas, yoga nidra, manas dharana, certain pranayamic techniques like brahmari and anulom-vilom, and meditation help the practitioner release pent-up emotions through introspection and self-reflection. With constant practice, the practitioner is able to gain insight into their emotional patterns and respond with care, kindness and compassion. Gradually, as they dive deeper, they learn to cultivate gratitude, inner peace and humility in an objective manner. As the emotional baggage is being off-loaded, they begin to appear more youthful and live with greater intention for they are now at peace within and with others around them; they are totally in harmony within and with the surrounding.
In short, by incorporating the physical, mental and emotional realms of yoga into our lifestyle, we would be able to transform our rugged journey into a harmonious one and be at peace within and with the world around us.
References
- CodeBlue (2023). Attempted suicide rate rises to 10 % among Malaysian teens: NHMS survey. https://codeblue.galencentre.org/2023/05/29/attempted-suicide-rate-rises-to-10-among-malaysian-teens-nhms-survey/
- Ishak, M. (September 2022). 81 per cent increase in suicide cases last year. New Straits Times. https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2022/09/830215/81-cent-increase-suicide-cases-last-year