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Yoga — A Way of Life

NCERT Class 6 · English Based on NCERT Class 6 English textbook · Free CBSE study kit

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Chapter Notes

Overview
This chapter introduces yoga as a physical, mental, and spiritual practice that originated in ancient India. It explains the meaning of the word 'Yoga' (to join or unite), the benefits of yoga for the body and mind, and the role of Sage Patanjali in systematizing yoga through the Yoga Sutras. The one big idea a student must walk away with is that yoga is a holistic approach to health and well-being that unites mind and body, thought and action, and human with nature.
Key Concepts (16)
Yoga
A physical, mental, and spiritual practice that originated in ancient India, derived from the Sanskrit root 'yuj' meaning 'to join' or 'to unite', symbolising the unity of mind and body, thought and action, and harmony between human and nature.
e.g. When Ravi does Surya Namaskar every morning, he is not just stretching his body; he is also calming his mind and focusing his thoughts — that is the true meaning of yoga.
Yuj
The Sanskrit root word from which 'Yoga' is derived, meaning 'to join' or 'to unite'.
e.g. Just as two railway tracks join at a junction, yoga joins the mind and body together.
Sage Patanjali
The ancient sage who presented the tradition of yoga in a systematic way in the 'Yoga Sutras of Patanjali', describing yoga as the means to make the mind quiet and free from all distractions.
e.g. Like a teacher who organises a messy classroom into neat rows, Sage Patanjali organised the scattered knowledge of yoga into a clear system.
Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
A systematic text written by Sage Patanjali that presents the ancient tradition of yoga in an organised manner.
e.g. Just as our NCERT textbook arranges chapters in order, the Yoga Sutras arrange the principles of yoga step by step.
Asanas
Yoga postures that help to stretch and strengthen the muscles, increase flexibility, endurance and balance.
e.g. The 'Tree Pose' (Vrikshasana) where you stand on one leg like a tree is an asana that improves balance.
Holistic approach
An approach that considers the whole person — body, mind, and spirit — rather than just one part, aiming for overall health and well-being.
e.g. When Priya's grandmother gives her warm milk with turmeric for a cold, she is taking a holistic approach because she is caring for Priya's body, comfort, and emotions together.
Meditation
A practice that involves focusing the mind to achieve a state of calm and relaxation, often combined with breathing techniques in yoga.
e.g. Sitting quietly for five minutes and focusing only on your breath, like Amit does before his exams, is a simple form of meditation.
Breathing techniques
Controlled methods of breathing used in yoga to calm the mind, reduce stress, and improve concentration.
e.g. Taking a deep breath in through your nose and slowly breathing out through your mouth, like Anjali does when she feels nervous before a speech, is a breathing technique.
WHO mYoga app
An app launched by the World Health Organisation (WHO) on 20 June 2021, containing a collection of videos and audio files to teach and support yoga practice, designed as an easy-to-use and free tool for people across the world.
e.g. Just as we use the NCERT app to study, people around the world can use the WHO mYoga app to learn yoga for free.
International Yoga Day
Celebrated on 21st June every year, declared by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on 11th December 2014 with 193 members accepting the proposal.
e.g. Every year on 21st June, students in our school gather on the playground to do yoga together as a celebration of International Yoga Day.
Practice (noun)
The actual application or exercise of a skill or knowledge; used as a noun.
e.g. Having a regular practice of brushing your teeth every night is a good habit.
Practise (verb)
The act of engaging in an activity repeatedly to improve or acquire a skill; used as a verb.
e.g. I practise my handwriting every day to make it neat and clear.
Advice (noun)
A suggestion or recommendation given to someone; used as a noun.
e.g. My mother gave me good advice about eating healthy food.
Advise (verb)
To give a suggestion or recommendation to someone; used as a verb.
e.g. The doctor advised me to drink plenty of water.
Sindhu-Sarasvati Civilisation
An ancient civilisation dating back to 2700 BC, whose seals indicate that yoga was prevalent in ancient India.
e.g. Just as we find old coins in our grandmother's trunk, archaeologists found seals from this civilisation showing people in yoga poses.
Haṭha Yoga Pradipikā
An ancient text that describes asana as the first accessory of Haṭha-Yoga, to be practised for gaining steady posture, health and weightlessness of body.
e.g. This text is like a recipe book that tells you the first step to make a dish — here the first step is asana.
How It Works
How yoga improves physical fitness
  1. Yoga postures (asanas) are performed to stretch and strengthen the muscles.
  2. Regular practice increases flexibility, endurance, and balance.
  3. This improves overall physical fitness and reduces body pains such as lower back pain.
💡 Students often think yoga is only about flexibility, but it also builds strength and endurance — all three are equally important.
How yoga calms the mind
  1. Yoga involves breathing techniques and meditation.
  2. These techniques help to calm the mind and reduce stress and anxiety.
  3. The mind relaxes, improving the quality of sleep and increasing concentration.
💡 Students forget that breathing techniques are a core part of yoga, not just physical postures. The mind must be with the body during practice.
How yoga boosts the immune system and heart health
  1. Yoga has been shown to boost the immune system.
  2. It improves heart health by lowering blood pressure and improving circulation.
💡 Students may confuse 'boosting immune system' with 'curing diseases' — yoga helps strengthen the body's defences, but it is not a medicine.
How yoga aids in weight loss
  1. Yoga helps burn calories through physical activity.
  2. It helps maintain health by promoting a balanced lifestyle.
💡 Students think yoga alone causes weight loss — it aids weight loss when combined with a healthy diet and regular practice.
How to practise yoga correctly (mind-body coordination)
  1. Choose a quiet place with no distractions.
  2. Perform yoga asanas (postures) slowly and with awareness.
  3. Coordinate each stretch with the breath.
  4. Keep the mind focused on the body and the movement.
💡 The most common mistake is doing yoga mechanically while thinking about other things — the mind must be with the body for it to be a true yogic practice.
How International Yoga Day was established
  1. On 11th December 2014, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) with 193 members accepted the proposal.
  2. They declared 21st June as 'International Yoga Day'.
💡 Students often confuse the date of the UNGA decision (11th December 2014) with the date of International Yoga Day (21st June) — both are important but different.
Exam Traps — Don't Make These Mistakes
⚠ Confusing 'practice' and 'practise'
✗ I practice yoga every day. / Yoga is a good practise.
→ 'Practice' is a noun (thing) and 'practise' is a verb (action). In the first sentence, a verb is needed, so 'practise' is correct. In the second sentence, a noun is needed, so 'practice' is correct.
✓ I practise yoga every day. / Yoga is a good practice.
⚠ Confusing 'advice' and 'advise'
✗ My teacher advise me to study. / I need your advise.
→ 'Advice' is a noun (thing) and 'advise' is a verb (action). In the first sentence, a verb is needed, so 'advises' is correct. In the second sentence, a noun is needed, so 'advice' is correct.
✓ My teacher advises me to study. / I need your advice.
⚠ Thinking yoga is only physical exercise
✗ Yoga is just stretching and exercise for the body.
→ The chapter clearly states yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual practice. It involves breathing techniques and meditation to calm the mind, not just physical postures.
✓ Yoga is a holistic practice that includes physical postures (asanas), breathing techniques, and meditation to unite mind and body.
⚠ Forgetting the meaning of 'Yuj'
✗ Yoga means exercise.
→ The chapter explicitly states that 'Yoga' comes from the Sanskrit root 'yuj', which means 'to join' or 'to unite'. It symbolises unity, not just exercise.
✓ Yoga comes from the Sanskrit root 'yuj', meaning 'to join' or 'to unite', symbolising the unity of mind and body.
⚠ Confusing the dates related to International Yoga Day
✗ International Yoga Day was declared on 21st June 2014.
→ The UNGA accepted the proposal on 11th December 2014, and declared 21st June as International Yoga Day. The declaration date and the celebration date are different.
✓ The United Nations General Assembly accepted the proposal on 11th December 2014, and declared 21st June as International Yoga Day.
⚠ Thinking yoga can be done with distractions
✗ I can do yoga while watching TV because it's just stretching.
→ The chapter states that yoga should be practised without distractions. The mind has to be with the body, and each stretch must be coordinated with breath and awareness for it to be a true yogic practice.
✓ Yoga should be practised without distractions, with the mind focused on the body and breath.
Compare & Contrast
Part of speech and usage
Practice (noun)
Practise (verb)
'Practice' is a noun (a thing, e.g., 'regular practice of yoga'), while 'practise' is a verb (an action, e.g., 'I practise yoga daily').
Part of speech and usage
Advice (noun)
Advise (verb)
'Advice' is a noun (a suggestion, e.g., 'good advice'), while 'advise' is a verb (the act of giving a suggestion, e.g., 'I advise you to study').
Type of benefit
Physical benefits of yoga
Mental benefits of yoga
Physical benefits include stretching muscles, increasing flexibility, endurance, balance, and reducing body pain. Mental benefits include calming the mind, reducing stress and anxiety, improving sleep quality, and increasing concentration.
Exam Focus
Marks pattern: 2 MCQs (1 mark each), 1 Very Short Answer (1 mark), 1 Short Answer (2-3 marks), 1 Long Answer (5 marks) — total approximately 10-12 marks
Most asked: Meaning and origin of yoga (root 'yuj') · Benefits of yoga (physical, mental, immune system, heart health, weight loss) · Sage Patanjali and the Yoga Sutras · International Yoga Day (date and UNGA declaration) · WHO mYoga app · Difference between 'practice' and 'practise' · Difference between 'advice' and 'advise'
Don't skip: Explain the meaning of yoga and its benefits (5 marks); Describe the role of Sage Patanjali and the significance of International Yoga Day (5 marks); Fill in the blanks with correct form of practice/practise or advice/advise (2-3 marks)
One-Line Revision (read aloud before the exam)
  1. Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual practice that originated in ancient India.
  2. The word 'Yoga' comes from the Sanskrit root 'yuj', meaning 'to join' or 'to unite'.
  3. Yoga symbolises the unity of mind and body, thought and action, and harmony between human and nature.
  4. Sage Patanjali presented yoga systematically in the 'Yoga Sutras of Patanjali'.
  5. Asanas are yoga postures that stretch and strengthen muscles, increasing flexibility, endurance, and balance.
  6. Yoga breathing techniques and meditation calm the mind, reduce stress, and improve concentration and sleep.
  7. Yoga boosts the immune system and improves heart health by lowering blood pressure and improving circulation.
  8. Yoga aids in weight loss by burning calories and maintaining health.
  9. The WHO launched the mYoga app on 20 June 2021 to teach and support yoga practice worldwide.
  10. International Yoga Day is celebrated on 21st June, declared by the UNGA on 11th December 2014.
  11. When practising yoga, the mind must be with the body and each stretch coordinated with breath and awareness.
  12. 'Practice' is a noun (thing) and 'practise' is a verb (action) — they sound the same but are used differently.
  13. 'Advice' is a noun (suggestion) and 'advise' is a verb (to give a suggestion).
  14. Seals of the Sindhu-Sarasvati Civilisation (2700 BC) indicate yoga was prevalent in ancient India.
  15. Yoga is a holistic approach to health and well-being, not just physical exercise.

MCQs — 10 Questions with Answers

Q1. What does the Sanskrit word 'yuj' mean?

  • A. To join or to unite ✓
  • B. To stretch or to bend
  • C. To breathe or to meditate
  • D. To exercise or to rest

Answer: A — The passage clearly states that the word 'Yoga' comes from the Sanskrit root 'yuj', which means 'to join' or 'to unite'.

Q2. Fill in the blank: I _____________ yoga every day to keep my mind and body healthy. (Practice/Practise)

  • A. practice
  • B. practise ✓
  • C. practiced
  • D. practicing

Answer: B — Practise is a verb meaning the act of engaging in an activity repeatedly, and here we need the verb form to show the regular action of doing yoga.

Q3. According to the passage, what did WHO launch on 20 June 2021?

  • A. A yoga training center
  • B. The WHO mYoga app ✓
  • C. A yoga competition
  • D. A health insurance plan

Answer: B — The passage states that the World Health Organisation launched an app called WHO mYoga which contains videos and audio files to teach and support yoga practice.

Q4. Which of the following is a mental benefit of practicing yoga?

  • A. Increased body weight
  • B. Higher blood pressure
  • C. Reduced stress and anxiety ✓
  • D. Increased muscle soreness

Answer: C — The passage mentions that yoga involves breathing techniques and meditation, which help to calm the mind and reduce stress and anxiety.

Q5. What should happen when you practice yoga asanas?

  • A. Only the body should move
  • B. The mind has to be with the body ✓
  • C. You should practice very quickly
  • D. You should practice with many distractions

Answer: B — The passage clearly states that when practicing yoga, 'the mind has to be with the body' and it should be practiced without distractions.

Q6. Who was Sage Patanjali and what did he do?

  • A. A modern yoga teacher in India
  • B. Someone who invented yoga recently
  • C. A person who presented yoga systematically in Yoga Sutras ✓
  • D. The first person to ever practice yoga

Answer: C — The passage states that Sage Patanjali presented the ancient tradition of yoga in a systematic way in 'Yoga Sutras of Patanjali'.

Q7. If you practice yoga regularly, what positive change might you experience?

  • A. Your stress increases significantly
  • B. Your sleep quality improves and concentration increases ✓
  • C. Your muscles become weaker
  • D. Your heart health becomes worse

Answer: B — The passage mentions that yoga helps to calm the mind, improves the quality of sleep, and increases concentration through breathing and meditation.

Q8. Yoga is described as having three aspects. Which one is missing: physical, mental, and _____________?

  • A. educational
  • B. spiritual ✓
  • C. competitive
  • D. social

Answer: B — The passage begins by stating that 'Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual practice that originated in ancient India'.

Q9. What does the passage suggest about when you can start practicing yoga?

  • A. Only before age 10
  • B. Only when you are very fit
  • C. At any given moment of time ✓
  • D. Only in the morning

Answer: C — The passage states 'We can start practising yoga at any given moment of time', meaning there is no restriction on when to start.

Q10. Looking at this sentence: 'The teacher advised me to continue my yoga _____________ at home.' Which word completes it correctly?

  • A. practice ✓
  • B. practise
  • C. practices
  • D. practicing

Answer: A — Practice as a noun refers to the actual application or exercise of a skill, which fits perfectly in this sentence after 'yoga'.

Flashcards

What does the word 'Yoga' come from and what does it mean?

The word Yoga comes from Sanskrit root 'yuj', which means 'to join' or 'to unite' mind and body.

Who presented yoga in a systematic way in ancient times?

Sage Patanjali presented yoga systematically in the 'Yoga Sutras of Patanjali' as a means to make the mind quiet and free from distractions.

Name three physical benefits of practicing yoga asanas.

Yoga asanas help to stretch and strengthen muscles, increase flexibility, endurance and balance, and can reduce body pains like lower back pain.

How does yoga help your mind and emotions?

Yoga involves breathing techniques and meditation which calm the mind, reduce stress and anxiety, improve sleep quality, and increase concentration.

What did the World Health Organisation (WHO) launch in 2021?

WHO launched an app called WHO mYoga on 20 June 2021, which contains videos and audio files to teach and support yoga practice worldwide.

Explain the difference between 'practice' and 'practise'.

Practice is a noun meaning the actual exercise or skill, while practise is a verb meaning to do an activity repeatedly to improve.

Why should yoga be practiced without distractions?

When each stretch is coordinated with breath and awareness without distractions, the practice becomes a true yogic practice of mind and body unity.

What does yoga promote according to the passage?

Yoga promotes a sense of overall well-being by improving physical fitness, mental health, heart health, and helping with weight loss and immunity.

At what age or time can someone start practicing yoga?

You can start practicing yoga at any given moment of time, regardless of your age or fitness level.

Name two health benefits mentioned about boosting your immune system and heart health.

Yoga boosts the immune system and improves heart health by lowering blood pressure and improving blood circulation throughout the body.

Important Board Questions

What is the meaning of the word 'Yoga'? [1 mark]

Think about the Sanskrit root 'yuj' and what it means — remember the lesson about unity of mind and body.

List any two physical benefits of practicing yoga asanas. [2 marks]

Look at the benefits paragraph — it mentions muscles, flexibility, balance, and pain. Choose any two and write them in simple sentences.

Explain why yoga should be practiced without distractions. Give one example from your daily life. [3 marks]

The passage says mind must be with body and breath must coordinate with awareness. Think of an example like doing homework without TV or playing sports with full focus.

Describe the importance of yoga in today's world. Why do you think WHO launched the mYoga app? Explain in detail with at least three reasons from the passage. [5 marks]

Mention: (1) Yoga has many health benefits, (2) It helps mind and body, (3) WHO recognized its importance globally, (4) The app makes yoga easy and free for everyone. Use clear sentences with examples.

True or False: 'Practice' and 'Practise' mean the same thing and can be used interchangeably. Explain your answer with one example sentence for each word. [2 marks]

Remember: Practice = noun (the activity itself), Practise = verb (to do the activity). Write one sentence using each correctly to show the difference.

Assertion-Reason Questions for Yoga — A Way of Life

Q1. Assertion (A):

Yoga helps to reduce stress and anxiety in our mind.

Reason (R):

Yoga involves breathing techniques and meditation which can calm the mind.

Answer: A — Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A — Both the assertion and reason are true, and the reason correctly explains why yoga reduces stress—because it uses breathing and meditation techniques.

Q2. Assertion (A):

The word 'practise' and 'practice' are used in the same way in English.

Reason (R):

'Practise' is a verb while 'practice' is a noun with different meanings and usage.

Answer: D — A is false but R is true — The assertion is false—they are NOT used the same way. The reason is true—'practise' is a verb and 'practice' is a noun. This is a Case C answer.

Q3. Assertion (A):

Yoga was first practiced in ancient India thousands of years ago.

Reason (R):

Seals from the Sindhu-Sarasvati Civilisation dating back to 2700 BC show that yoga was prevalent in ancient India.

Answer: A — Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A — Both the assertion and reason are true, and the reason provides historical evidence that correctly explains why we know yoga originated in ancient India.

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Case-Based Questions (CBQ) for Yoga — A Way of Life

Case Study:

Meera is a Class 6 student who feels very tired and stressed after school. Her grandmother suggests that she should practice yoga with her every morning for 30 minutes before breakfast. Meera starts practicing simple yoga asanas, breathing exercises, and meditation with her grandmother. After two weeks, Meera notices that she feels more energetic during the day, her concentration in studies has improved, and she sleeps better at night. She also feels calmer when facing difficult situations.

Q1. What benefits did Meera experience after practicing yoga for two weeks?

  • A. More tiredness and poor concentration
  • B. More energy, better concentration, better sleep, and calmness ✓
  • C. No changes in her health
  • D. Only physical strength without mental benefits

Answer: B

Q2. Which part of yoga helped Meera become calmer according to the passage?

  • A. Only eating healthy food
  • B. Watching television for relaxation
  • C. Breathing exercises and meditation combined with asanas ✓
  • D. Playing outdoor games only

Answer: C

Q3. Why do you think Meera's grandmother suggested practicing yoga together?

  • A. To waste time in the morning
  • B. To discourage Meera from studying
  • C. To help Meera reduce stress and improve her overall well-being ✓
  • D. To make Meera tired before school

Answer: C

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