Yoga for Body Breath, and Mind: A guide to Personal Reintegration ― A G Mohan

A few years ago, with the intention of expanding my practice of Yoga, I picked up Yoga for Body, Breath, and Mind: A Guide to Personal Reintegration by A.G. Mohan, a book I had acquired mostly because I was related to the author (yes, that is a full disclosure!). To my surprise, I found that this book also helped me strengthen my coaching skills by providing a deep and comprehensive understanding of and approach to the human mind and behaviour.

Over the years, my view of human behaviour, acquired through various western frameworks, separated the cognitive, emotive and physical aspects of a human being. I believed, erroneously then, that Yoga was about ‘asanas’ or postures which would lead to good health and flexibility. Imagine my surprise when I found that while this book is essentially about the 8 limbs of Yoga, it is, at its core, a deep and insightful exploration of the interconnectedness of the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects of a human being. Of particular relevance to coaches is the section on understanding the mind, an integrated system of functional, social, structural and psychological elements, as being deeply interwoven with the breath and the body.

While focusing on asana practice, the author simultaneously outlines how breath and body work can lead to profound shifts in mental and emotional states. The book outlines in detail the five states of the mind and what the author terms the “impurities” (or cloudiness) of the mind. This is the state where one can be agitated and filled with, for example, false understanding or hatred or fear. This framework provides an in-depth understanding and for coaches to help their clients access clarity, resilience, and a sense of balance.

Yoga is an eight-fold path towards integration and the emphasis that this book places on the other limbs such as ‘niyama’ (which includes ‘swadyaya’ or self-study), ‘dharana’ or concentration, ‘dhyana’ or meditation makes it invaluable for coaches looking to deepen their own inquiry. A good example would be the limb of ‘pratyahara’ which provides a way to not only cultivate mindfulness and presence, but also inner awareness by creating a space for self-inquiry and insight. This practice has relevance both for the coach’s individual practice and for cultivating a state of being in a coaching session. The role of the breath in regulating the mind and forming a bridge between the conscious and unconscious mind would also resonate loudly with coaches. Additionally, the book also provides practical exercises and tools for developing a breathwork practice as a way to foster calmness, focus, and emotional regulation—skills that are invaluable for both coaches and clients alike.

I firmly believe that in order to facilitate shifts to deeper states in a client, a coach has to have walked those paths themselves. Reading Yoga for Body, Breath, and Mind was a powerful experience for me as it not only fuelled my personal yoga practice but also provided me with a deeper understanding of human nature and systems. Above all, this book refined my coaching practice by anchoring me to the whole person and providing deeper self-awareness techniques to create sustainable shifts in individuals. I would highly recommend this book to any coach interested in travelling down the same path and
looking to strengthen their practice from the inside out.