Historical Perspectives on Yoga and Sankhya Philosophy: Their Role in Public Health by Dr. Naheed BI.pptx

The pursuit of health and well-being has been a
cornerstone of human civilization, with ancient
Traditions offering profound insights into holistic
wellness.
Yoga and Sankhya philosophy stand out as two of the
most influential systems in Indian thought, shaping
both spiritual and physical health practices. While
Yoga provides a practical framework for achieving
balance through breath control, meditation, and
physical postures, Sankhya serves as its
philosophical foundation, explaining the nature of
existence through Purusha (consciousness) and
Prakriti (matter).
Sankhya's Influence on Health: The Gunas impact mental and physical health, guiding lifestyle choices.
Sattva (balance) promotes mental clarity, Rajas (activity) influences metabolism, and Tamas.

2. Yoga’s Influence on Health: Yoga has a profound influence on health, offering benefits that extend beyond physical
fitness to mental and emotional well-being.

Key Aspects of Yoga Impact

Mental Health Benefits
Physical Health Improvements
 Chronic Disease Management
Cognitive Function and Focus
Holistic Wellness
Key Challenges emerge when applying Sankhya and Yoga to the modern health
Yoga and Sankhya are rarely included in medical and public health curricula.
Lack of training leads to limited awareness and application by healthcare professionals.
Yoga is often culturally diluted and commercialized, focusing mainly on physical fitness.
The need for evidence-based research is crucial.
Ensuring accessibility and affordability is essential.
Standardizing practices is difficult due to a lack of uniform guidelines.
Cultural differences lead to acceptance challenges.
Solutions to the challenges of applying Sankhya and Yoga to the modern health
Collaborate with healthcare professionals to develop hybrid models combining conventional medicine with Sankhya and Yoga.
Establish uniform guidelines for Sankhya and Yoga Practices.
Educate healthcare professionals and the public about sankhya and Yoga’s benefits.
Foster dialogue and understanding between traditional and modern practices.
Offer affordable and accessible Sankhya and Yoga Programs.
Provide comprehensive training and certification for Practitioners.
Conclusion
The historical perspectives of Yoga and Sankhya philosophy offer profound insights into holistic health, emphasizing the integration of body, mind, and consciousness. These ancient systems, rooted in preventive care and inner balance, have the potential to complement modern public health practices. Yoga has made a significant impact on public health over the past decade, offering numerous benefits for physical and mental well-being. By addressing challenges and implementing solutions, we can utilize the benefits of these ancient practices to enhance physical, mental, and spiritual health. However, challenges and limitations remain; further research is needed to fully realize.

1. National Seminar -18/06/2025 Theme: "Yoga Impact – A Decadal Review of Yoga in Public Health" Topic of Research Article Historical Perspectives on Yoga and Sankhya Philosophy: Their Role in Public Health   DR.NAHEED BI DR.NAHEED BI ASSISTANT PROFESSOR FACULTY OF EDUCATION TEERTHANKER MAHAVEER UNIVERSITY MORADABAD

2. Historical Perspectives on Yoga and Sankhya Philosophy:Their Role in Public Health

3. INTRODUCTION The pursuit of health and well-being has been a cornerstone of human civilization, with ancient traditions offering profound insights into holistic wellness. Yoga and Sankhya philosophy stand out as two of the most influential systems in Indian thought, shaping both spiritual and physical health practices. While Yoga provides a practical framework for achieving balance through breath control, meditation, and physical postures, Sankhya serves as its philosophical foundation, explaining the nature of existence through Purusha (consciousness) and Prakriti (matter).

4. Patanjali's 8 Limbs of Yoga

5. Philosophical Foundations and Public Health Applications 1. Sankhya's Influence on Health: The Gunas impact mental and physical health, guiding lifestyle choices. Sattva (balance) promotes mental clarity, Rajas (activity) influences metabolism, and Tamas. 2. Yoga’s Influence on Health: Yoga has a profound influence on health, offering benefits that extend beyond physical fitness to mental and emotional well-being. Key Aspects of Yoga Impact Mental Health Benefits Physical Health Improvements   Chronic Disease Management Cognitive Function and Focus Holistic Wellness

6. Key Challenges emerge when applying Sankhya and Yoga to the modern health Yoga and Sankhya are rarely included in medical and public health curricula. Lack of training leads to limited awareness and application by healthcare professionals. Yoga is often culturally diluted and commercialized, focusing mainly on physical fitness. The need for evidence-based research is crucial. Ensuring accessibility and affordability is essential. Standardizing practices is difficult due to a lack of uniform guidelines. Cultural differences lead to acceptance challenges.

7. Solutions to the challenges of applying Sankhya and Yoga to the modern health Collaborate with healthcare professionals to develop hybrid models combining conventional medicine with Sankhya and Yoga. Establish uniform guidelines for Sankhya and Yoga Practices. Educate healthcare professionals and the public about sankhya and Yoga’s benefits. Foster dialogue and understanding between traditional and modern practices. Offer affordable and accessible Sankhya and Yoga Programs. Provide comprehensive training and certification for Practitioners.

8. Conclusion The historical perspectives of Yoga and Sankhya philosophy offer profound insights into holistic health, emphasizing the integration of body, mind, and consciousness. These ancient systems, rooted in preventive care and inner balance, have the potential to complement modern public health practices. Yoga has made a significant impact on public health over the past decade, offering numerous benefits for physical and mental well-being. By addressing challenges and implementing solutions, we can utilize the benefits of these ancient practices to enhance physical, mental, and spiritual health. However, challenges and limitations remain, and further research and standardization are needed to fully realize its potential.

9. R eferences Anand, R. (2023). Foundations of Yoga Philosophy: A Historical Overview. New Delhi: Yogic Heritage Publications. Bhattacharjee, S. (2023). Sankhya and the Science of Consciousness: A Philosophical Inquiry. Kolkata: Eastern Wisdom Press. Saikia, M. (2021). Yoga and Mental Health: Tools for Emotional Resilience and Stress Management. Guwahati: Mindful Living Publications. Tiwari, P. (2025). The Vedic Roots of Yoga: Insights from the Upanishads and Bhagavad Gita. Varanasi: Vedanta Research Institute.