PERSONALITY DEVELOPMENT THROUGH YOGA

Abstract

Personality is defined as a deeply ingrained pattern of behaviour that includes modes of perception, relating to and thinking about oneself and the surrounding environment. Personality traits are normal, prominent aspects of personality. In the ancient text of Taittareeya Upanishad, personality is said to be composed of five aspects. These are called the Panca Koshas or the yogic concept of personality. Yoga helps in developing positive traits in each of these five aspects leading to self-actualization and helps an individual to achieve his or her maximum potential. To develop our personality, we need to be physically fit. Unless a person is physically healthy, he or she would lose confidence and it does not help to improve one’s personality. A sound body is inevitable to have a sound mind. Yoga postures energize and oxygenate the whole body thus enhancing the performance of all the organs. Yoga and breathing practices activate your brain and improve the performance of your brain. Yoga enhances memory power as well. Our concentration improves with yoga practices and this would help us in understanding things better. Being emotionally charged does not help a person to handle things better. If we maintain a state of calm while facing tough times, we will be able to make better decisions. Yoga helps to keep us calm and composed and thus we will never experience a moment when we had taken a decision in a fit of fury. This chapter deals with personality development through yoga.