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Understanding
and constructing your personal Yoga practice |
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Time of Practice: Yoga can be practiced at
any time of the day on an empty stomach. A gap of at least 3
to 4 hours after the intake of food is advisable. Loud Chanting
can be done during any time of the day. Dawn, mid-noon and dusk
are the ideal times to practice Meditative techniques.
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Place of Practice: Should be well ventilated,
clean and calm. Since breathing exercises are part of any Yoga
practice, an environment that is pollution free with abundant
fresh air is the best option. Outdoors in nature, if possible,
and if climatic conditions allow, is ideal. Practicing at the
same place at a fixed time helps.
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Attire: Loose and comfortable clothes are
recommended. Spectacles, wristwatches and ornaments should be
placed aside. Right attire helps proper blood circulation and
ease of practice.
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The Session: Should begin with a few stretches
and the Sun Salutations as a warm up, followed by Asanas, Pranayama
and then finally Meditation. Practice with appropriate Mudras
as taught by the instructor enhances the effect and benefits
of your practice. At Shreyas, Yoga processes are customized
to your requirement, flexibility, availability of time, and
personal interest.
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Breathing: Most practices recommend nasal
breathing. Synchronizing the breath with each movement is essential
for maximum benefit. Proper breathing results in calmness and
balance of the mind.
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Awareness: Each Yoga process should be practiced
in a relaxed manner with complete awareness. Being aware of
the subtle changes helps one in improving concentration. Endurance
develops as each of the Asanas is held for certain duration.
In fact Awareness is the key to any Yoga practice as it fosters
alertness and aids assimilation of the practice resulting in
tangible benefits.
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Ahara (Diet): A balanced diet prepares both
the body as well as the mind for a steady Yoga practice. It
is recommended to have light, fresh and easily digestible food
in moderation to enhance the benefits of Yoga.
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Attitude: Yoga is a journey of self-discovery.
Hence we should avoid turning it into a competition. We should
be aware of our limits and practice within them to avoid injury,
particularly the Asanas. ‘Moderation and understanding’
is the key.
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Approach: Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras clearly
states: “Sthiram sukham asanam" i.e., the posture
should be comfortable and allow one to stay stable. As our practice
deepens, we will be able to stretch more and hold the pose for
longer periods with ease. Similarly do not overdo in the Pranayama
practice. Understand your capacity and incrementally advance
it stage by stage.
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General
Guidelines |
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Asanas should be discontinued if one experiences
sharp shooting pain in any part of body. Dull pain that one
may experience during the Asana can be managed under guidance
of your teacher.
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Pranayama should neither be practiced to
the level that it induces breathlessness nor should one retain
the breath without proper guidance or practice.
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Proper warm up, regular practice, correct
use of breath and relaxation techniques help in improving our
flexibility, strength and balance, and tone the body resulting
in increased fitness level and self confidence as well as calmness
of the mind. The key to any Yoga practice is moderation and
a correct understanding of the prescribed processes.
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People of all age groups, male and female,
can practice Yoga. People suffering from ailments should practice
the postures as taught by the instructor or under guidance.
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Therapeutic benefits of Yoga practice are
well known. As a precaution and also to derive maximum benefit,
people suffering from ailments like heart problems, back and
/ or knee pain, spondylosis, diabetes, asthma etc should practice
either under supervision or as per the instructions by the teacher.
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