| Dr. Vivek Maheshwari Provost And Head, Dept of Yoga and Humanities Lakulish Yoga University Ahmedabad (Gujarat) India |
Abstract
Childhood is one of the most important phases of human development, especially for the growth of attention, awareness, and higher cognitive abilities. Modern psychology has explained many aspects of how children learn to think, focus, and respond to the world around them. At the same time, the Indian yogic tradition offers a holistic understanding of mental development that is equally valuable. This article attempts to connect these two perspectives by exploring how yogic ideas such as dharana (concentration), pratyahara (withdrawal of the senses), and dhyana (meditation) relate to stages of cognitive development in children.
The discussion draws from contemporary research studies along with the relevant scholarly work of Maheshwari (2021) to examine the role of yoga-based practices in improving children’s mental functioning. Practices such as asana, pranayama, and mindfulness techniques including Vipassana are discussed as practical tools that may strengthen attention, emotional stability, and executive functioning. Several controlled studies have shown that regular yoga practice can improve sustained attention, working memory, inhibitory control, and visual-motor coordination among school-going children.
The article also places these scientific findings within the broader framework of yogic psychology, particularly the concepts of chitta (mind-field), vritti (mental modifications), and prajna (higher wisdom). Rather than treating yoga as an alternative to neuroscience, the paper argues that both systems often point toward
similar understandings of how the mind develops and functions. Finally, the article considers how yoga may contribute to educational practices, therapeutic interventions, and future interdisciplinary research related to child development and cognition.