Yogic Counseling

Based on

Maharshi Patanjali's Yog Sutras

Yogic counseling, drawing upon the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, presents a process-oriented and comprehensive methodology. This approach draws on the principles of yoga philosophy and practice to help individuals manage psychological distress, cultivate mental clarity, and foster personal growth. It functions as a complementary system to modern therapeutic practices, addressing the root causes of suffering through an integrated mind-body perspective.

The counseling approach is guided by key principles outlined in the Yoga Sutras:

Understanding the Mind (Chitta): The core principle is Yogah Chitta Vritti Nirodhah (Yoga is the cessation of the fluctuations of the mind).

Counseling focuses on identifying and understanding these mental modifications (vrittis) which cause distraction, suffering, and a clouded perception of reality.

Identifying the Source of Suffering (Kleshas): Psychological distress is primarily rooted in five mental afflictions (kleshas):

Avidya (ignorance or lack of true wisdom).

Asmita (egoism or false identification of self with the ego/body).

Raga (attachment to pleasure).

Dvesha (aversion to pain).

Abhinivesha (fear of death or clinging to life).

The counseling process helps individuals recognize these patterns and work towards detaching from them.

The Eight Limbs of Yoga (Ashtanga Yoga): The eight limbs provide a systematic roadmap for mental well-being and self-realization:

Yamas (ethical guidelines: non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, moderation, non-possessiveness) and

Niyamas (personal observances: purity, contentment, self-discipline, self-study, surrender to a higher power) form the ethical foundation for a balanced life, reducing internal and external conflicts.

Asana (physical postures) and

Pranayama (breath control) help regulate the physical body and breath, which in turn calms the nervous system and mind.

Pratyahara (sense withdrawal), Dharana (concentration), Dhyana (meditation), and Samadhi (absorption) are internal practices that cultivate inner awareness, mental stillness, and profound clarity.

Transformation Process: The goal is to move from a distracted state of mind (Citta Vikshepa) to a stable, one-pointed mind (Chitta prasadanam), ultimately achieving liberation (Kaivalya).

Application in Counseling

Yogic counseling uses a personalized, one-on-one approach where the counselor (or acharya) acts as a supportive guide or "mirror":

Supportive Enquiry (Prasnam): The counselor uses non-judgmental questioning to help the client explore the sources of their mental agitation and thought patterns.

Integrated Practice: The therapist recommends specific yoga techniques (asanas, pranayama, meditation, chanting) tailored to the individual's needs, not just as techniques, but as tools for self-regulation and self-reflection.

Cultivating Awareness and Detachment: Clients learn to observe their thoughts and emotions without immediate reaction, fostering detachment (vairagya) from outcomes and external distractions.

Promoting Positive Qualities: The Yamas and Niyamas are integrated into daily life to build positive ethical qualities and inner peace, such as contentment (santosha) and self-study (svadhyaya).

Empowerment: The process emphasizes the client's role in their own healing and transformation, helping them gain confidence and a sense of subjective well-being.

By integrating practical techniques with a deep philosophical understanding of the mind, yogic counselling provides a holistic framework for addressing contemporary psychological issues like anxiety, depression, and stress, leading to long-lasting clarity and freedom