Guidelines To Be Observed During The Practice Of Asanas

By Author: Shreyasretreat
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Place of practice:

Should be clean, quiet and well ventilated. There should be no dampness or bad smells. The area should be uncluttered with furniture and other objects. Try to use the same place every day to build up an atmosphere of peace. Don’t practice on the bare floor and don’t use a spongy mattress.

Time of practice:

Best time to practice is before breakfast, early in the morning. Take a wash or bath and go to the toilet before the practice if possible. If it is impossible to perform asanas in the morning, they can be performed in the evening.

Duration of practice:

To be regulated according to your available time, though the longer the better.

Clothing:

As light as possible under climatic conditions, so that free movement is not impeded.

Others:

Close your eyes as much as possible throughout the practice once you become familiar with the practice.

The less physical effort that is required the better. The aim is to perform asanas with as little tension or muscular effort as possible.

Key Points to remember:

To stretch ...
... the muscles it is important that they are fully relaxed.
Slow and controlled movements and co-ordination with breath- quick and sudden movements use up excessive energy, whereas the object of asanas is to conserve energy
Maintenance of final posture while being aware of the breath or the parts of the body that the asana particularly influences
Relaxation after completion of asanas

Precautions:

Wait for atleast three hours after food before doing asanas
Don’t set your aims too high in the beginning; only do as much practice as you can easily manage everyday without fail.
Don’t use excessive force to attain the final positions of the asanas.
Don’t try to stretch your muscles further than is comfortable.
Don’t underestimate the importance of the movements to and from the final poses. They should be done slowly, smoothly, with control and in synchronization with the breath.
If you are suffering from any ailments, it is always better to seek guidance from a competent teacher before attempting asanas. Few asanas should not be performed in certain conditions, for eg., inversions should not be performed by hypertensives.
Don’t practice asanas if you are ill with acute diseases like diarrhea.
Asanas are not competitive. If you perform your asanas in a group, do not compare yourself with others. Simple asanas done with full awareness are much better than doing difficult postures with no awareness.

Benefits of Asana Practice:

Asanas loosen up the joints of the body, stretch and tone the muscles and remove poisons which tend to accumulate in various parts of the body.
They also harmonize the nervous system and with a gentle massage they improve the functioning of all the internal organs of the body like the spine, intestines, etc. This slowly but surely will lead to the best possible physical health.
Regular practice of asanas also brings about a balance in our hormones which leads to emotional and mental well-being.

Author Bio:

Shreyas Yoga Retreats is Best Yoga retreats and boutique resort in Bangalore India, has been best described as a Yoga india retreat Retreat with a soul and provides best Yoga retreats bangalore, Retreat in India. For more information visit http://www.shreyasretreat.com