Benefits of Yoga in Physical Education and Sports: An Overview

Abstract: The aim of this article is to discuss how some aspects of yoga may be used in sports and physical education. One Indian philosophical system that stresses the value of working with the body to cultivate good behaviours and attitudes is yoga. The physical postures, known as asana in Sanskrit, are the most effective of all its practices. It is important to keep in mind that gymnastics and sports fall under the purview of physical education. In the past, when the venue for contests was revered and mutual respect was crucial, people used to say that "it is not the winning itself but the competing nobly that really matters." The phrase "physical education" has been interpreted in a variety of ways in our contemporary society. Some refer to it as the "education of the body," which involves teaching the body how to develop certain talents and abilities, as is done in sports, for instance. Others believe that exercising only to enhance one's appearance is "education to the body." Regretfully, this is the primary motivation for gym memberships, particularly prior to the summer.