Kavita, a 45-year-old teacher in Bengaluru, has had repeated episodes of depression. Along with her medicines, her doctor suggests a yoga centre. There she learns a rapid breathing technique that induces hyperventilation. She also practises a meditation in which she holds no fixed object or thought; she passively observes the bodily sensations and thoughts passing through her awareness. Her relative Sunil has schizophrenia. Medicines have reduced his hallucinations, but he still shows disinterest and lack of motivation to work or to meet people. At a day centre he is now taught candle making, paper bag making and weaving, so that he can form a work discipline.
Identify the practice Kavita uses when she passively observes her bodily sensations and thoughts.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → Vipasana
Option (1) Sudarshana Kriya Yoga — Incorrect. Sudarshana Kriya Yoga (SKY) uses rapid breathing to induce hyperventilation. That is Kavita's breathing practice.
Option (2) Kundalini Yoga — Incorrect. Kundalini Yoga combines breathing techniques with chanting of mantras. It was found effective for obsessive-compulsive disorder. Kavita chants nothing and holds no mantra, so it does not fit.
Option (3) Pranayama — Incorrect. Pranayama is the breathing practices part of yoga. It works on the breath, while Kavita's meditation has no fixed focus at all and only observes what passes through her mind.
Option (4) Vipasana — Correct. Vipasana, also called mindfulness-based meditation, has no fixed object or thought to hold the attention. The person passively observes the bodily sensations and thoughts passing through awareness, which is what Kavita does.
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