The purpose of all yoga techniques (asana, pranayama, kriyas, etc.) is to control the fluctuations / movement/ vrittis of the mind. These vrittis can be painful or non- painful. Since completely stilling the mind is a very difficult goal to aim for; the next best thing would be reduce the painful fluctuations / vrittis. Yoga asana and pranayama create positive, happy, quiet and peaceful states of mind. A yogic life style involves 4 aspects: AHAR (healthy food), ACHARA (a routine which provides enough time for yourself, family, freinds, work, eating, sleeping, exercising, playing and resting at the appropriate time), VIHARA (recreational activity) and VICHAR (thoughts) I am going to focus on Vihara.

Hansaji of The Yoga Institute says, VIHARA or a recreational activity is a very essential means of having a creative outlet for your disturbed emotions. It needs to be a part of your daily routine. Choose an activity which you enjoy, that you can remain with for sometime forgetting all your tensions and worries.