A famous yoga exponent of contemporary time, Aurobindo (1999) defined yoga as “a practical discipline incorporating a wide variety of practices whose goal is the development of a state of mental and physical health, well-being, inner harmony and ultimately a union of the human individual with the universal and transcendent existence”. Consistently, Iyengar (1976) defined yoga as an ancient discipline designed to bring balance and health to the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of the individual. These two definitions of the yoga coined by Aurobindo and Iyengar clearly hint bio-psycho-socio-spiritual efficacies of yoga to attain and maintain total health (physical, mental, social and spiritual health) as an elementary benefit if practiced persistently.
“Yoga Therapy (YT) is the process of empowering individuals to progress toward improved health and well-being through the application of the philosophy and practice of Yoga” (Mohan, 2006). Body, breathing, mind, diet, lifestyle and environment are the six indispensable factors of YT. YT leads to 1) improved muscle mechanics, concentration and postural stability; and work efficiency; 2) purified physique, mind, energy channels and energy centers and 3) paranormal powers and self-realization to mitigate all pros and cons of the human life (Miller, 2013).