Holistic Approaches to Modern Anxiety: Use of Yogic Practices for Mental Health
Ambarish Khare
Journal of Advances and Scholarly Researches in Allied Education June 1, 2026 DOI: 10.29070/4xeef722 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Interventions | Yoga Pranayama Asana |
| Topics | Anxiety |
| Keywords | Mental health Intervention counseling Cognition Clinical practice Breathing exercises Alternative medicine Psychotherapist Emotional regulation Applied psychology Holistic health |
| Key findings | Yoga, as defined by Patanjali, can regulate the ANS and HPA axis, increase GABA, and reduce cortisol, offering a holistic intervention for anxiety, depression, and PTSD. |
Abstract
This paper explores the integration of classical yogic practices as a holistic intervention for mental health within the contemporary clinical landscape. Anchored in Patanjali’s foundational definition of Yoga as chitta-vritti-nirodha (the cessation of the fluctuations of consciousness), the study examines how the ancient “Eight Limbs” framework addresses modern psychological pathologies, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD. By synthesizing traditional philosophical insights with modern neurobiological findings, the research highlights the efficacy of Yoga in regulating the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) and the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis. Specifically, the paper reviews evidence regarding the increase of Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels and the reduction of serum cortisol through rhythmic breathing (Pranayama) and physical postures (Asana). Furthermore, the study addresses the transition of Yoga from a spiritual discipline to a “top-down” and “bottom-up” therapeutic tool, emphasizing its role in fostering emotional regulation and cognitive space. Despite the documented benefits, the paper identifies critical challenges, including the commercial dilution of the practice and the necessity for trauma-informed, standardized clinical protocols. It concludes that a multi-dimensional, integrative approach—merging the subjective wisdom of the Yogasutras with objective scientific rigor—is essential for addressing the global mental health crisis. Ultimately, Yoga is presented not merely as a complementary therapy, but as a vital self-regulatory strategy for achieving holistic well-being in an increasingly fragmented modern era.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on anxiety, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mindfulness-based interventions: an overall review General (healthcare, schools, workplace) | 2021 | Review | |
| A Consensus Statement on the Use of Ketamine in the Treatment of Mood Disorders | 2017 | Review and consensus statement | |
| Sudarshan Kriya Yogic Breathing in the Treatment of Stress, Anxiety, and Depression: Part II—Clinical Applications and Guidelines | 2005 | Review | |
| Mindfulness Meditation and Psychopathology | 2018 | Review | |
| Management of Treatment-Resistant Depression: Challenges and Strategies | 2020 | Review |