THE ECO-AESTHETICS OF YOGA AND ODISSI DANCE: ENVIRONMENTAL HARMONY THROUGH EMBODIED AWARENESS

Abstract

This paper comprehensively explores the interdisciplinary and transformative nexus between Yoga, Odissi Dance, and contemporary environmental consciousness, framed through the concept of eco-aesthetics and embodied awareness. Drawing extensively from the research portfolio of Dr. Rashmi Rekha Das, particularly the foundational work Yoga and Odissi Dance (2022) and the empirical study "Eco-Yoga: Integrating Environmental Ethics into Yogic Practice and Lifestyle" (Das et al. 2025), this study presents these traditional Indian art forms as culturally grounded, effective pedagogies for ecological education and sustainable behaviour. The integrated practice termed Natyayoga demonstrates a systematic cultivation of heightened awareness, reverence, and ethical responsibility toward the natural world. The theoretical grounding synthesizes classical Sanskrit treatises including the Nāṭyaśāstra (Ghosh 1996), Abhinaya Darpaṇa (Nandikeśvara 1917), Haṭha Yoga Pradīpikā (Svātmārāma 1998), Patañjali’s Yoga Sūtras (Patañjali 2012), and the Bhagavad Gītā (Easwaran 2019) with modern quantitative research. The paper argues that the rhythmic synchronization of the body, breath, and consciousness, inherent to the practice, is a profound ecological act. The Odissi dancer, through the iconic Tribhaṅga posture and specific mudrās (Nandikeśvara 1917), becomes a living metaphor for Prakṛti’s (Nature’s) harmony, while Yoga deepens this awareness through the cultivation of ethical principles, primarily Ahiṃsā (non-violence), Aparigraha (non-possessiveness), and Śauca (purity). Empirical evidence from a mixed-methods study (N=220) (Das et al., 2025) demonstrates a strong positive correlation ($r=0.68$, $p<.001$) between regular eco-yogic practice and engagement in pro-environmental actions (Das et al. 2025). Furthermore, it is shown that the practice enhances physical vitality, mental well-being, and social empathy, with Ahiṃsā-aligned consumption ($\beta=0.42$, $p<.001$) identified as the strongest predictor of sustainable lifestyles. This research affirms that the eco-aesthetic synthesis of Yoga and Odissi Dance offers a comprehensive and embodied model for sustainability, one where art, ethics, and ecology converge to foster individual transformation and, subsequently, planetary well-being.