Research Paper By Mariam Sobhy
(Life Coaching, EGYPT)
i. Abstract
This paper present the relationship between yoga & coaching, trying to answer many questions related to this topic.
In this document, I am trying to explore the following:
- Where is the overlap between yoga and coaching? And what is the difference between both of them?
- How can Yoga be beneficial in a coach technique & how can a coach use this philosophy to support his coaching journey in terms of process, skills, practice….etc.
- Would yoga practice support the client?
In this paper, I am not looking into Yoga postures and its impact on a person, yet I am trying to highlight the benefits of yoga in coaching journey & Vise versa
ii. Definitions
A. Yoga
Yoga (Sanskrit, Pāli/ˈjəʊɡə/, yoga) is a commonly known generic term for physical, mental, and spiritual disciplines, which originated in ancient India. Specifically, yoga is one of the six āstika (“orthodox”) schools of Hindu philosophy. One of the most detailed and thorough expositions on the subject are the Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali. Various traditions of yoga are found in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism.
In Vedic Sanskrit, the more commonly used, literal meaning of the Sanskrit word yoga is “to add”, “to join”, “to unite”, “to control” or “to attach” from the root
Generally put, yoga is a disciplined method utilized for attaining a goal by uniting the three main elements in human body, mind & Soul.
Through yoga postures and full understanding of yoga practice, objective & techniques, a person can reach a transformational level (internally and externally) through uniting body, mind and spirit.
Yoga is all about TRANSFORMATION
B. COACHING
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:
Coaching, when referring to getting coached by a professional coach, is a teaching, training or development process in which an individual gets support while learning to achieve a specific personal or professional result or goal. The individual receiving coaching may be referred to as the client or coachee, or they may be in an intern or apprenticeship relationship with the person coaching them. Occasionally the term coaching may be applied to an informal relationship between one individual who has greater experience and expertise than another and offers advice and guidance as the other goes through a learning process. This form of coaching is similar to mentoring.
The International Coach Federation defines coaching in the following way:
Professional coaches provide an ongoing partnership designed to help clients produce fulfilling results in their personal and professional lives. Coaches help people improve their performances and enhance the quality of their lives.
Coaching is about development, progress, moving forward, excelling….its about TRANSFORMATION
iii. Where does Yoga & coaching meet?
Both Yoga & coaching have the same objective, which is TRANSFORMATION
To reach desired transformation a person’s need to raise high self-awareness with respect to values, circumstances, strengths, weaknesses…etc.