Yoga – A Way of Life – Class 6 English Poorvi Question Answer (NCERT 2026–27)

Complete NCERT Solutions for Class 6 English Poorvi Unit 4 (Sports and Wellness) – “Yoga – A Way of Life”: summary, key idea, word meanings and every textbook exercise (Let us discuss, Let us think and reflect, Let us learn, Let us listen, Let us speak, Let us write, Let us explore) answered in full. The questions are reproduced exactly as in the NCERT book, and every fill-in and table task is written out as readable text.

Class: 6 Subject: English Book: Poorvi Unit: 4 – Sports and Wellness Type: Prose (Informative) Session: 2026–27
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About the chapter

“Yoga – A Way of Life” is an informative prose piece from Unit 4, ‘Sports and Wellness’. It explains that yoga is a physical, mental and spiritual practice that began in ancient India. The word ‘Yoga’ comes from the Sanskrit root yuj, meaning ‘to join’ or ‘to unite’ – the union of mind and body, thought and action, and the harmony between human beings and nature. The lesson describes the many health benefits of yoga, mentions Sage Patanjali and his Yoga Sutras, and tells how the World Health Organisation and the United Nations have helped spread yoga around the world.

About the piece

This is a non-fiction, informative text written specially for the NCERT Class 6 Poorvi textbook, so it does not carry the byline of a single author. It draws on India’s ancient tradition of yoga – especially the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, which systematised the practice, and the Haṭha Yoga Pradipikā, from which a Sanskrit verse on āsana is quoted. The piece also refers to real modern milestones, such as the World Health Organisation’s WHO mYoga app (2021) and the United Nations decision to mark 21st June as International Yoga Day. Its purpose is to introduce young readers to yoga as a healthy way of living.

Summary

Yoga is a physical, mental and spiritual practice that originated in ancient India. The word ‘Yoga’ comes from the Sanskrit root yuj, which means ‘to join’ or ‘to unite’. This symbolises the unity of mind and body, of thought and action, and the harmony between human beings and nature. Yoga is thus a complete, or holistic, approach to health and well-being.

The ancient sage Patanjali set out the tradition of yoga in a systematic way in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. He described yoga as the means to make the mind quiet and free from all distractions. Today yoga has become very popular all over the world because of its many benefits. Its postures, called asanas, stretch and strengthen the muscles and increase flexibility, endurance and balance, improving overall fitness and reducing pains such as lower-back pain. The breathing techniques and meditation in yoga calm the mind, lower stress and anxiety, improve sleep and increase concentration. Yoga also boosts the immune system, improves heart health by lowering blood pressure, and can help in weight loss.

Because these benefits are recognised internationally, the World Health Organisation (WHO) launched a free app called WHO mYoga on 20 June 2021, containing videos and audio files to teach yoga to people everywhere. The lesson reminds us that yoga is not just stretching the body; the mind must be with the body. When each stretch is coordinated with the breath and with awareness, ordinary exercise truly becomes yoga – a way of life.

Word meanings

WordEnglish meaningHindi meaning
spiritualrelating to the mind and inner selfआध्यात्मिक
originatedstarted; beganउत्पन्न हुआ / शुरू हुआ
uniteto join togetherएकजुट करना / जोड़ना
symbolisesstands for; representsप्रतीक है
harmonybalance; agreementसंतुलन / मेल
holistictreating the whole, not just partsसमग्र / समग्रतावादी
well-beingthe state of being healthy and happyकुशलता / भलाई
systematicdone in an orderly, planned wayव्यवस्थित / क्रमबद्ध
distractionsthings that disturb attentionध्यानभंग / विछ्छेप
asanasyoga posturesआसन
flexibilitythe ability to bend easilyलचीलापन
endurancecapacity to continue without giving upसहनशक्ति / सहनशीलता
meditationfocusing the mind in calm thoughtध्यान
anxietyworry; uneasy feelingचिंता / बेचैनी
immune systemthe body’s defence against illnessरोग प्रतिरोधक तंत्र
circulationflow of blood through the bodyरक्त संचार
boostto increase or strengthenब୪ाना / बल देना
recognisedaccepted and respectedमान्यता प्राप्त
coordinatedmatched together smoothlyतालमेल में / समन्वित

Let us do these activities before we read

1. What do you know about yoga? Discuss in pairs and share with the whole class.

SAMPLE ANSWERYoga is an ancient practice from India in which we do different postures (asanas), breathing exercises (pranayama) and meditation. It makes the body flexible and strong, calms the mind, and keeps us healthy. Many people do yoga early in the morning, and it can be practised at any age.

2. What is 21st June known for? What do we do on this day?

ANSWER21st June is known as International Yoga Day. On this day, people all over the world come together – in parks, schools and homes – to perform yoga asanas and breathing exercises, and to spread awareness about the many benefits of yoga for body and mind.

3. List as many words you know related to yoga. Share them with your classmates.

SAMPLE ANSWERasana, pranayama, meditation, mat, posture, breathing, balance, flexibility, stretch, surya namaskar, relaxation, concentration, calm, namaste, mind, body, awareness.

4. Let us play the game of Antakshari. The first word is ‘yoga’. The next word must then begin with the letter ‘a’. This activity will go on and the whole class will participate and write the words on the blackboard. How many new words have you learnt?

SAMPLE ANSWERA sample chain: yoga → asana → awareness → stretch → health → harmony → yuj → jog … Keep going around the class. You will likely learn several new words such as endurance, meditation and balance.

Note: This is an oral group game; the chain of words will be different in every class. Build it together on the blackboard.

Let us discuss

Read the passage again and fill in the blanks with words from the box. (Box: sleep, lifestyle, health, strength, calm, stress, balance)

Yoga is a practise that not only improves physical flexibility but also improves mental 1. ______, and leads to a healthier 2. ______. It involves a series of asanas, which increase muscular 3. ______. Practising yoga also leads to a better body and mind 4. ______ and reduces body pain such as the lower back. Moreover, the focus on breathing techniques and meditation makes the mind 5. ______, lessens 6. ______, and improves the quality of 7. ______. This helps to adopt a more positive lifestyle.

ANSWER 1. health   2. lifestyle   3. strength   4. balance 5. calm   6. stress   7. sleep Completed: “…improves mental health, and leads to a healthier lifestyle. It involves a series of asanas, which increase muscular strength. …a better body and mind balance … makes the mind calm, lessens stress, and improves the quality of sleep.”

Let us think and reflect

1. What is the aim of yoga?

ANSWERThe aim of yoga is to unite the mind and the body and to bring harmony between thought and action and between human beings and nature. As Sage Patanjali explained, yoga seeks to make the mind quiet and free from all distractions, leading to complete health and well-being.

2. Explain the idea of unity in yoga.

ANSWERThe word ‘Yoga’ comes from the Sanskrit root yuj, which means ‘to join’ or ‘to unite’. In yoga, unity means joining the mind with the body so that they work together – our thoughts and our actions become one. It also means harmony between human beings and nature. This is why yoga should be practised with full awareness, the mind always staying with the body.

3. What does the launch of the WHO mYoga app tell us about the importance of yoga?

ANSWERWhen the World Health Organisation, a respected global body, launches a free app like WHO mYoga to teach yoga to people everywhere, it shows that the benefits of yoga are recognised all over the world. It tells us that yoga is no longer just an Indian tradition but a trusted way to improve health that the whole world wishes to encourage and practise.

4. Describe one long-term effect that the practice of yoga can have on a person’s qualities.

ANSWERPractising yoga regularly over a long time makes a person calmer and more focused. By coordinating breathing with movement and meditation, yoga reduces stress and anxiety and improves concentration. As a result, a person gradually develops patience, self-discipline and a peaceful, positive outlook that stays with them in everyday life.

Let us learn

I. ‘practice’ (noun) and ‘practise’ (verb)

1. Complete the sentences given below by filling in the blanks with correct use of practice (as a noun) or practise (as a verb).

ANSWER (i) It is important to have a regular practice of stretching every morning to stay flexible. (noun) (ii) I practise Yoga every day to keep my mind and body healthy. (verb) (iii) …but it requires a lot of practice to improve your skills. (noun) (iv) Our athletics coach asked us to practise running on grass to strengthen our grip while running. (verb) (v) I practise deep breathing exercises when I feel stressed to calm myself down. (verb) (vi) Developing a good habit of eating fruits and vegetables should be a daily practice. (noun)

2. Another common word that has the ‘s’ and ‘c’ variation in spellings is ‘advice’ (noun) and ‘advise’ (verb). Make two sentences each using ‘advice’ and ‘advise’ and share with your classmates and the teacher.

SAMPLE ANSWER advice (noun): (a) My teacher’s advice helped me prepare well for the test. (b) Always listen to the doctor’s advice about your health. advise (verb): (a) I would advise you to practise yoga early in the morning. (b) Doctors advise everyone to exercise daily.

II. Make as many words as you can using the letters shown (R, Y, E, N, A, G, O). Use the letter ‘A’ in all the words that you make.

SAMPLE ANSWER Three-letter and longer words (each containing ‘A’): are, ago, age, era, oar, ray, nay, yea, gear, year, near, rage, gone (no)… Words that definitely use ‘A’: are, age, ago, era, ear, ray, oar, nay, gear, year, near, rage, anger, range, organ, orange, yarn. (Words such as ‘orange’, ‘organ’, ‘anger’ and ‘range’ use all the given letters or most of them.)

Let us listen / speak / write / explore

Let us listen

You will listen to a girl talk about practising yoga. As you listen, select four true statements from the sentences given in the table. (refer to page 129 for transcript)

ANSWER (based on the textbook transcript) 1. The girl sees people at the park doing breathing exercises. → True 2. Her grandfather began practising yoga sixteen years ago. → False (he began when he was 16 years old, not sixteen years ago) 3. The girl practises some easy yoga exercises with her grandfather. → True 4. The girl practises breathing exercises to relax. → True 5. Her grandfather is fit even though he has untimely meals. → False (he eats a balanced diet regularly) 6. Her grandfather’s regular yoga practise has kept him strong. → True 7. The girl wishes to learn asanas over the weekend. → False (she plans to learn asanas during the summer vacations) The four true statements are therefore 1, 3, 4 and 6.

Note: This is a listening task. Your teacher will play the audio (transcript on page 129 of the textbook); the answers above match that transcript.

Let us speak

Participate in groups of four to share your ‘yoga thoughts’, using the sentence starters given (e.g. “I practise yoga because …”, “I wish to practise yoga because …”). Take turns to speak and listen to others.

SAMPLE ANSWER If you have tried yoga: “I practise yoga because it keeps me calm and active. My favourite thing about yoga is the breathing exercises. I feel fresh and relaxed after a yoga session because my mind becomes quiet.” If you have not tried yoga yet: “I wish to practise yoga because it improves health and concentration. I hope that once I begin practising yoga, I will sleep better and feel less stressed. The kind of exercise I want to try in yoga is Surya Namaskar because it stretches the whole body.”

Note: This is a speaking activity. Share your own real thoughts and listen carefully when your group members speak.

Let us write

Write a short paragraph on ‘The Benefits of Yoga’, using the given sentence starters along with your own ideas.

SAMPLE PARAGRAPHThe Benefits of Yoga. Yoga is important because it keeps both our body and our mind healthy. One benefit of yoga that interests me is that its asanas make the muscles strong and the body flexible. Practising yoga can help people reduce stress, sleep better and concentrate more. A popular yoga pose is Surya Namaskar (the Sun Salutation) because it exercises almost the whole body in one smooth sequence. Yoga is not just physical exercise; it also calms the mind and boosts the immune system, improving heart health and overall well-being. Finally, yoga can be a great way to stay fit, happy and peaceful throughout life.

Let us explore

1. Do you know? – Read the note about the history of yoga and International Yoga Day.

ANSWERA few seals of the Sindhu-Sarasvati Civilisation, dating back to about 2700 BC, suggest that yoga was already prevalent in ancient India. Many people contributed to its development, and today yoga has spread all over the world. On 11th December 2014, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), with its 193 members, accepted the proposal to celebrate 21st June as International Yoga Day.

2. Find out about two asanas and their benefits, and share your findings with your classmates and teacher.

SAMPLE ANSWER Tadasana (Mountain Pose): You stand tall and stretch the body upward. It improves posture and balance and makes the spine and legs strong. Vrikshasana (Tree Pose): You balance on one leg with the other foot on the inner thigh. It improves concentration, balance and steadiness of the mind and body.

Note: This is a project/exploration task. Use the books or the websites suggested in the textbook to find your own two asanas; the examples above are model answers.

Extra questions

Short answer (30–40 words)

1. From which Sanskrit word does ‘Yoga’ come, and what does it mean?

ANSWERThe word ‘Yoga’ comes from the Sanskrit root yuj, which means ‘to join’ or ‘to unite’. It symbolises the unity of mind and body, of thought and action, and the harmony between human beings and nature.

2. Who was Patanjali, and what did he do for yoga?

ANSWERSage Patanjali presented the ancient tradition of yoga in a systematic way in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. He described yoga as the means to make the mind quiet and free from all distractions.

3. Name any three health benefits of yoga mentioned in the lesson.

ANSWERYoga increases flexibility, endurance and balance; it calms the mind and reduces stress and anxiety, improving sleep and concentration; and it boosts the immune system and improves heart health by lowering blood pressure.

4. What is the WHO mYoga app, and when was it launched?

ANSWERThe WHO mYoga app was launched by the World Health Organisation on 20 June 2021. It is a free app containing videos and audio files to teach and support yoga practice for people across the world.

5. Why is it said that yoga is not just stretching the body?

ANSWERWhen we do asanas, the mind must stay with the body. Yoga should be practised without distractions, coordinating each stretch with the breath and awareness. Only then does ordinary exercise truly become a yogic practice.

Long answer (100–120 words)

6. Explain how yoga benefits both the body and the mind, as described in the lesson.

ANSWERThe lesson shows that yoga gives equal benefit to the body and the mind. For the body, the postures or asanas stretch and strengthen the muscles and increase flexibility, endurance and balance, improving overall fitness and reducing pains such as lower-back pain. Yoga also boosts the immune system, improves heart health by lowering blood pressure and improving circulation, and can aid weight loss by burning calories. For the mind, the breathing techniques and meditation in yoga help to calm and relax it, reduce stress and anxiety, improve the quality of sleep and increase concentration. Because it cares for both body and mind together, yoga promotes a complete sense of well-being and becomes a healthy way of life.

7. How has yoga, an ancient Indian practice, become important all over the world today?

ANSWERYoga began in ancient India – seals of the Sindhu-Sarasvati Civilisation, around 2700 BC, suggest it was practised even then, and Sage Patanjali later systematised it in the Yoga Sutras. Over the centuries many people developed it further, and because of its great health benefits it spread far beyond India. Today its value is recognised internationally. The World Health Organisation launched a free WHO mYoga app in 2021 to teach yoga worldwide, and on 11th December 2014 the United Nations, with its 193 members, decided to celebrate 21st June as International Yoga Day. In this way, an ancient Indian tradition has become a respected, modern way of life for people across the whole world.

MCQs & Assertion–Reason

1. Where did yoga originate?

(a) ancient China   (b) ancient India   (c) ancient Greece   (d) ancient Egypt

ANSWER(b) ancient India.

2. The word ‘Yoga’ comes from the Sanskrit root ‘yuj’, which means…

(a) to rest   (b) to breathe   (c) to join or to unite   (d) to think

ANSWER(c) to join or to unite.

3. Who presented the tradition of yoga systematically in the ‘Yoga Sutras’?

(a) Sage Vyasa   (b) Sage Patanjali   (c) Sage Valmiki   (d) Sage Vishwamitra

ANSWER(b) Sage Patanjali.

4. What are yoga postures called?

(a) sutras   (b) mantras   (c) asanas   (d) mudras

ANSWER(c) asanas.

5. Which of these is NOT a benefit of yoga mentioned in the lesson?

(a) it increases flexibility   (b) it reduces stress   (c) it improves eyesight overnight   (d) it boosts the immune system

ANSWER(c) it improves eyesight overnight.

6. When did the WHO launch the WHO mYoga app?

(a) 20 June 2021   (b) 21 June 2014   (c) 11 December 2014   (d) 20 June 2020

ANSWER(a) 20 June 2021.

7. On which date is International Yoga Day celebrated?

(a) 11 December   (b) 21 June   (c) 20 June   (d) 5 September

ANSWER(b) 21 June.

8. Yoga improves heart health by…

(a) raising blood pressure   (b) lowering blood pressure and improving circulation   (c) increasing stress   (d) reducing sleep

ANSWER(b) lowering blood pressure and improving circulation.

9. According to the lesson, while doing asanas, the…

(a) mind must wander freely   (b) body must stay still and the mind sleep   (c) mind has to be with the body   (d) eyes must always be closed

ANSWER(c) the mind has to be with the body.

10. How many members of the UN accepted the proposal for International Yoga Day?

(a) 100   (b) 150   (c) 193   (d) 200

ANSWER(c) 193.
MCQ Answer Key: 1-(b), 2-(c), 3-(b), 4-(c), 5-(c), 6-(a), 7-(b), 8-(b), 9-(c), 10-(c)

Assertion–Reason – choose: (a) A and R true, R explains A; (b) A and R true, R does not explain A; (c) A true, R false; (d) A false, R true.

1. Assertion (A): Yoga is called a holistic approach to health.

Reason (R): It cares for the body, the mind and the spirit together.

ANSWER(a) Both true and R correctly explains A.

2. Assertion (A): The word ‘Yoga’ means ‘to unite’.

Reason (R): It comes from the Sanskrit root ‘yuj’.

ANSWER(a) Both true and R correctly explains A.

3. Assertion (A): Yoga can help to calm the mind and reduce stress.

Reason (R): Yoga involves breathing techniques and meditation.

ANSWER(a) Both true and R correctly explains A.

4. Assertion (A): Yoga is a very recent invention with no ancient roots.

Reason (R): Seals of the Sindhu-Sarasvati Civilisation, dating back to about 2700 BC, suggest yoga was practised in ancient India.

ANSWER(d) A is false (yoga is ancient, not recent), while R is true.

5. Assertion (A): When we do asanas, we do not just stretch the body.

Reason (R): The mind must be with the body, so each stretch is coordinated with the breath and awareness.

ANSWER(a) Both true and R correctly explains A.

Exam tips & common mistakes

Exam tips

• Remember the meaning of ‘yuj’ = to join / to unite – it is the most common one-mark question.
• Learn the key dates exactly: WHO mYoga app – 20 June 2021; UN decision – 11 December 2014; International Yoga Day – 21 June.
• In benefit questions, separate body benefits (flexibility, strength, immunity, heart) from mind benefits (calm, less stress, better sleep, concentration).
• Always name Sage Patanjali and the Yoga Sutras when asked about the origin of systematic yoga.

Common mistakes

• Do not mix up the dates: the app is 20 June 2021, not 21 June.
• International Yoga Day is 21 June, but the UN decision was on 11 December 2014 – keep them separate.
• Remember the spelling difference: practice is the noun, practise is the verb.
• Do not write that yoga is only physical exercise – the lesson stresses that the mind must be with the body.

FAQs

What does the word ‘Yoga’ mean?

It comes from the Sanskrit root ‘yuj’, meaning ‘to join’ or ‘to unite’ – the union of mind and body, thought and action, and harmony between humans and nature.

Who systematised yoga, and in which text?

Sage Patanjali presented the ancient tradition of yoga in a systematic way in the ‘Yoga Sutras of Patanjali’, describing it as the means to make the mind quiet and free from distractions.

When is International Yoga Day, and how was it decided?

International Yoga Day is celebrated on 21st June. On 11th December 2014 the United Nations General Assembly, with its 193 members, accepted the proposal to mark the day.

Questions are taken verbatim from the NCERT Poorvi textbook; the summary, the note about the piece and all answers are written originally by ClearStudy.

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