ROLE OF YOGA AND MEDITATION IN MENTAL HEALTH: INSIGHTS FROM INDIAN KNOWLEDGE SYSTEMS

Abstract

Mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety, and stress-related conditions, constitute a major global health burden (World Health Organisation, 2022). While pharmacological and psychotherapeutic interventions remain a key part of the treatment, limitations such as accessibility, adverse effects, and relapse highlight the need for alternative approaches. Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS), particularly Yoga and meditation, offer a holistic framework integrating physiological, psychological, and spiritual dimensions of health. Rooted in classical texts such as the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, these practices emphasise self-regulation, emotional balance, and cognitive clarity. Recent research suggest that yoga and meditation influence mental health through neurophysiological pathways, including autonomic nervous system regulation, hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis modulation, and neuroplasticity (Streeter et al., 2012; Fox et al., 2016). This chapter highlights classical perspectives and modern evidence, emphasising the role of yoga-based interventions in public health settings.