3. Advantages of Yoga
Practice:
1. Yoga practice reduces tension, stress, anxiety, weakness, helplessness, fear, and
negative thoughts etc. which are increasing day by day in this mechanical human life.
2. Man can prove his life worth living by development his Self physically and
psychologically that contribute for the development of spiritual instinct in him.
3. Man can acquire peace and tranquility as Yoga practice reduces the negative tendencies
like jealousy, prejudice, anger etc. in him.
4. It treats the prolonged diseases or deficiencies like diabetes, asthema, heart
problems, pains, sprains, indigestion etc. and makes the body active and good looking.
5. As soon as one is habituated for Yoga practice, there would be number of changes in his
routine activities, habits, thoughts, food habits, behavior etc. Tamsik…. And Rajasik
tendencies are reduced and Satvik tendencies creep in.. Such Yoga practitioners contribute
a lot as best responsible citizens to the nation and also to the entire mankind (Sarvesham
Mangalam Bhavatu, a stanza of Yoga prayer).
6. Yoga practice equips the practitioner with devotion, concentration and alertness in
every activity that he does. He also discharges his responsibility with love and
dedication thereby gets respect and honor at his work.
7. If women practice Yoga, they gain not only good health but also improvement in their
complexion and beauty. They can teach their children good discipline and train them to
become responsible citizens.
4. General Rules and Regulations of Yoga:
(a) Do's
1. "Early to bed and early to rise makes man healthy, wealthy and wise" is a
universal saying. The Yoga practitioner should go to bed early, have sound sleep and get
up early in the morning, attend to the calls of nature, wash the mouth and teeth
thoroughly, take bath and start Yoga in fasting (not eating anything).
2. One could practice Yoga even before bath but after practice he should wait for some
time and then take bath.
3. Yoga should be practiced on a leveled floor in a room where doors and windows are kept
open for air and light.
4. It is helpful in many ways to practice Yoga in a place, where morning tender sunrays
fall.
5. One should not practice Yoga directly on ground, on cement or mortar floor or on stoned
floor. He should spread a carpet a blanket or a clean cloth, sit on it and start Yoga
practice.
6. Men can practice Yoga on briefs or shorts or half pants in the house. Women
can wear minimum clothing. When they practice in open places, they must wear
loose clothing. Better if they wear a Salwar-Kameez or Track suit.
7. During Yoga practice, if any one feels to attend the calls of nature, he must go and
attend to them immediately. One should not hold them forcefully for long time. One should
also not try to suppress sneezing, cough etc. If one feels thirsty, can drink a little
water.
8. One should practice Yoga calmly without any haste or exhaustion. If one is tired he
should rest for a while in a comfortable posture.
9. One should try to practice Yoga everyday regularly, preferably at the same time.
10. While practicing Yoga, one should concentrate on the Yoga alone and try to keep away
the other thoughts.
11. During the practice of asanas, the dirt of the internal organs of the body is directed
towards the urinary bladder, so soon after completing Yoga exercises, one should pass out
the urine.
12. If one sweats during Yoga practice, should slowly wipe it out either by a cloth or
with the palms. It is better if it dries up automatically in the air.
(b) Don'ts:
1. Women should refrain from Yoga practice during their menstrual period or pregnancy or
any such other case. They can practice micro Yoga and meditation.
2. During illness, after operations, when there is a bandage either for sprains or
fractures one should refrain from Yoga practice. They can resume Yoga after consulting the
physicians / experts.
3. Children below 8 years of age should not forced to practice Yoga. But they can perform
as a play, watching elders.
4. One should not practice Yoga in uncleaned or smoky places and in areas with foul smell.
5. Yoga should not be practiced in stormy winds.
6. One should not initiate Yoga by himself. It is always better to consult Yoga experts
before starting the practice of Yoga.
5. Interruptions for Yoga Practice:
Patanjali Maharishi, while describing the interruptions or hindrances for Yoga practice in
his "Yoga Darshan" says "Vyadhistyana Samshaya Pramadalasya virati Bhranti
Darshanalabdh Bhoomikatva Anavasthitatvani Chitta Vikshepah Te-antaraya". i.e., we
have to overcome the nine hindrances. These are also called "Yogamalas". They
are:
1. Vyadhi: the diseases and deficiencies that develop in the body.
2. Stan: Lack of required abilities for Yoga practice.
3. Samshay: Doubts and misapprehensions about Yoga practice.
4. Prasad: Unwillingness to follow Rules and Regulations.
5. Alaska: Not attempting Yoga practice due to tiredness and
carelessness or
lethargy.
6. Aviate: Developing disinterest in Yoga, being busy in other
activities.
7. Bhranti Darshan : Mis-conceptions about the details of Yoga
practice.
8. Alabdha Bhoomikatya : Thinking or concentration not being developed
to the
expected level inspite of practicing Yoga.
9. Anavasthi Tatya: Inspite of reaching a state of concentration, it
could not
be retained.
If a practitioner overcomes the above, he could easily enjoy all the fruits or
advantages of Yoga Practice. |
