NCERT Class 11 Health and Physical Education Health and Physical Education: Chapter 6 — Yoga and its Relevance in the
This chapter introduces Yoga as a science of living that impacts physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual levels, aiming to improve life quality and bring harmony between body and mind. Derived from the Sanskrit word 'yuj', meaning 'to join', yoga is an ancient system for self-development and human evolution. It addresses modern-day stress in children, which can lead to psychosomatic diseases and social unrest due to imbalances. The chapter traces yoga's history from the Indus Valley Civilisation and Vedas, mentioning its connection to Upanishads, Buddha's teachings, Jainism, and classical texts like the Bhagavad Gita. It highlights Maharishi Patanjali's codification of Ashtang Yoga and the development of Hatha Yoga. Various schools of yoga, including Karma Yoga (the path of action), are discussed, emphasizing the goal of attaining bliss and true knowledge.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 11 |
| Subject | Health and Physical Education |
| Book | Health and Physical Education |
| Chapter | Chapter 6 — Yoga and its Relevance in the |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 4 minutes |
| Word count | 671 |
Learning outcomes
- Understand yoga as a science of living impacting multiple human levels.
- Recognize the historical origins and development of yoga.
- Identify the causes of stress and psychosomatic diseases.
- Explain the concept and goal of Karma Yoga.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Yoga | A science of living, derived from Sanskrit 'yuj' meaning to join or unite. |
| Yuj | Sanskrit word meaning to join, to yoke, and to unite. |
| Psychosomatic | Relating to physical symptoms caused by mental or emotional stress. |
| Upanishads | Ancient Sanskrit texts containing philosophical concepts and ideas of Hinduism. |
| Vedas | The oldest scriptures of Hinduism, containing hymns, rituals, and philosophical insights. |
| Ashtang Yoga | The eight limbs of yoga as codified by Maharishi Patanjali. |
| Hatha Yoga | A branch of yoga focusing on physical postures and breathing techniques for health. |
| Karma Yoga | The path of selfless action and duty. |
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Practice questions
- What is the meaning of the Sanskrit word 'yuj'? Answer: The Sanskrit word 'yuj' means to join, to yoke, and to unite.
- Name two primary causes of suffering mentioned in the text. Answer: Attachment and endless ambitions are mentioned as two primary causes of suffering.
- From which ancient civilization have yoga practices been depicted? Answer: Yoga practices have been depicted from the Indus Valley Civilisation.
- Who codified the eight limbs of yoga? Answer: Maharishi Sage Patanjali codified the eight limbs of yoga, known as Ashtang Yoga.
- What is the aim of Karma Yoga? Answer: The aim of Karma Yoga is attaining union with the higher-self by harmonising actions.
Practice MCQs
Q1. Yoga works on which levels of human beings?
Explanation: The text explicitly states that yoga works on physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual levels.
Q2. The word 'yoga' is derived from the Sanskrit word:
Explanation: The chapter states that the word 'yoga' is derived from the Sanskrit word 'yuj'.
Q3. Which ancient civilization's seals depict the practice of yoga?
Explanation: Stone seals restored from the sites of the Indus Valley Civilisation depict the practice of Yoga.
Q4. The Bhagavad Gita is considered a classical treatise on:
Explanation: The text mentions that the Bhagavad Gita is considered a classical treatise on yoga.
Q5. Maharishi Patanjali gave the concept of:
Explanation: Maharishi Patanjali codified the comprehensive system of Yoga called Ashtang Yoga, which has eight limbs.
Q6. Hatha Yoga primarily deals with:
Explanation: Hatha Yoga deals with day-to-day health related problems and emphasizes the human body and mind.
Frequently asked questions
What is Yoga according to the chapter?
Yoga is described as a science of living that works on physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual levels to improve the quality of life and bring harmony between body and mind.
What does the word 'yoga' mean?
The word 'yoga' is derived from the Sanskrit word 'yuj', meaning to join, to yoke, and to unite.
What are the main causes of suffering mentioned in the text?
Attachment and endless ambitions are identified as the two primary causes of suffering.
When was yoga practiced during the Indus Valley Civilisation?
Yoga was practiced during old days, as depicted by stone seals restored from the sites of the Indus Valley Civilisation (around 2000 B.C.).
Who is credited with codifying the eight limbs of yoga?
Maharishi Sage Patanjali codified the comprehensive system of Yoga called Ashtang Yoga around the second century B.C.
What is the basic goal of yoga?
The basic goal of yoga is to attain bliss and provide true knowledge about human beings.
What is Karma Yoga?
Karma Yoga is a main stream of yoga that aims at attaining union with the higher-self by harmonising actions, often referred to as the path of action.
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NCERT Class 11 Health and Physical Education — Health and Physical Education — Chapter 6 — Yoga and its Relevance in the. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.