INTRODUCTION TO YOGA

• Yoga is a discipline based on an extremely subtle science, which focuses on bringing harmony between mind, soul and body.
• It is an art and science of healthy living.

Misconception about Yoga:

1.Yoga is only for young people:

• Yoga accepts you wherever you are. There are no rules, no expectations, and no judgments.

• Anyone can be benefited from the practice of yoga as long as she or he approaches the practice and practice it regularly with an open mind.

2. The purpose of yoga is physical fitness or it is a physical practice only.

• A lot of people put yoga in the same category as a Zumba class because of its health benefits.

• But one of the reasons that asana practice is so great for you is that it combines awareness and concentration with movement. In other words, yoga is much beyond the physical practice.

3. It is a religion:

• It’s true that in yoga, you might see a statue of the Hindu deity Shiva and hear some chanting on om and several hymns. Yoga is a way of life. it has nothing to do with religion.

• It is not a religious practice. it doesn’t impose any rule to follow Hinduism.

4. Yoga is too slow:

• There are a variety of different forms of yoga. Yoga is Restorative. Slow movements during yoga practice brings flexibility, physical strength and stability not only on physical ground but mentally also, and works on spiritual level also.

5. Yoga is for awakening Kundalini:

• This is another big misconception. Dissect your body and you will not find any Kundalini. The message that is given is that the body has a lot of dormant energy.

6. Yoga is the last option for the sick and the unhealthy (weakly)

• People come to yoga only when all other avenues are closed. When you have a heart problem and the doctors say nothing can be done, then you come to yoga. If you could have come to yoga earlier, things would have been very different. You would not fall sick and if you do, you would have been able to handle it yourself.

7. Yoga is a Miracle, Magic, Vibhuti from the palms

• You might find it fun to watch Yogis performing miracles. This they do to attract people. This has nothing to do with yoga. There are so many miracles happening around us that we don’t notice.

GUIDELINES for YOGA PRACTITIONERS

Before

1. Shauch means ‘purity’, an important pre- requisite for Yogic practice. It Includes cleanliness of surroundings, body and mind. yogic practices should be performed in calm and quite atmosphere with a relaxed body and mind.

2. Yogic practices should be performed on an empty/light stomach.

3.Yogic practices should not be performed on uneven surface. A yoga Mat should be used.

4. Light and comfortable cotton clothing is preferred so that the movement of the body is easy. Wear comfortable clothing while doing yoga.

During

1. Practice session should start with prayer as it creates conducive environment there by relaxes the

mind.

2. Perform the practices slowly while breathing awareness along with relaxation.

3. Breathing should always be done through nostrils unless instructed otherwise.

4. Do not hold the body tight.

5. Do not give jerks at any point of time.

6. Do not hold breath unless it is specifically mentioned.

7. While inhaling and exhaling, chest is to be expanded and compressed respectively.

8. Do not to be greedy, i.e., perform according to your own capacity.

9. Do not to get disappointed. It takes some time to get good results. Therefore, patience and regular practice is very essential for good results.

10. There are contra-indications/limitations for each Asana, Pranayama, Kriya and Bandha. Such contraindications should always be kept in mind. In case of chronic diseases or cardiac problems, doctor and yoga therapist should be consulted prior to the performance of yogic exercises.

11. During pregnancy and menstruation, yoga expert should be consulted prior to yogic practices.

After

1. Bath may be taken only after fifteen to thirty minutes of yoga session.

2. Light food may be taken only after fifteen to thirty minutes of Yoga session.

3. After each practice session/sessions, shavasana may be practised as per need.

4. Yoga session should end with a Meditation/ Deep Silence/ShantiPath.

• Breathable, flexible bottoms like yoga pants or shorts
• A breathable, narrow- or form-fitting top that won’t hang over your head when you’re upside down.
• For women, a sports bra or built-in shelf bra that offers enough support for the type of yoga you’re practicing
• A comfortable, warm top layer for end-of-class Shavian (corpse pose) or after class when you’ve cooled down

Patience, Peace and a Smile 🙂

Not required.

Do Yoga Nidra in the form of Shavasana (Corpse Pose) or sit comfortably and relax for few moments

Online yoga classes make it easier to learn new styles, new poses and new approaches compared to what can be learned at a local studio. Attending one to three live classes a week can only provide so much new learning; whereas with access to hundreds or thousands of videos, the sky really is the limit.

Yoga must be practiced either early in the morning or in the early evening to get the best benefits.

You should not practice yoga immediately after a meal. If you’re ill, exhausted, or menstruating, avoid practicing yoga.

After a 60-minute session, one can burn anywhere between 180-600 calories. The range is wide as the calories you burn will depend on the poses you do and their intensity.

If you’re trying to reduce belly fat, steer clear of fried foods, sugar, packaged and processed foods, dairy, and alcohol.