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(By Dr. Rajesh Srinivas)

Over the past decade, yoga has taken on a new identity. What began for many as a physical practice, something to improve flexibility, strength, and posture, has quietly evolved into something deeper.  Yoga, as codified by Rishi Patanjali, is a state of "Chitta Vrithi Nirodaha," which simply means the cessation of the wandering of the mind.

To enable this ultimate purpose, yoga has a systematic approach, which is called the Eightfold Path. This 8-fold path includes:

• Yama (tenets to follow – nonviolence, truth, nonstealing, awareness of a supreme consciousness and nonhoarding),
• Niyama (traits – cleanliness, happiness, penance, self-study and offering each thought and act to the supreme),
• Asanas (postures that increase core strength, suppleness and flexibility, thereby enabling the body to stay stable while meditating), 
• Pranayama( breath regulation and hence life force regulation to arabilize thoughts, hormones and the nervous system),
• Pratyahara (mindfulness of all the stimuli received through the senses and consciously choosing to react),
• Dharana (concentration and single mindedness to cultivate will power),
• Dhyana (Meditation) and,
• Samadhi ( where one's consciousness merges with universal consciousness).

This systematic approach, where physical fitness has been central to further experience subtler aspects of life and consciousness, has been the approach of Yoga to the ultimate goal of self-realisation. It was never one at the cost of the other. Without fitness and health, it is impossible to meditate.

The Essence Of Yoga

The beauty of Yoga is that fitness through Asanas is also mindful while giving all the benefits of physical, mental, and emotional health. So is breathwork or pranayama. Even classical yoga advocates for physical health as a precursor to mental health and wellbeing. Yoga is as much about fitness as it is about mindfulness. After all, with yoga, you can have the cake and eat it too.

So, is yoga becoming more about the mind than the body? Maybe. Or maybe it's finally becoming what it was always meant to be: a balance between the two. A way to bring harmony into our lives, personally and professionally.

As we look to the future, one thing is clear: mindfulness is no longer optional. Yoga continues to offer that holistic balance. It's where mental peace meets physical strength. Where discipline meets self-compassion. Where ancient wisdom meets modern need.

Dr. Rajesh Srinivas is the general manager at Swastik Wellbeing