Yoga A New Life Style: Ordinary & Important Precautions

Yogic practices should not drain a energy from person nor make him fatigue. Instead post-practice one should feel full of life and vigor.

It is not necessary to practice entire sequence of asanas at one go. Wherever required one should pause or take a few deep breath and relax.

The effort exerted during practice should not generate stress on any part of body or of the body system.

When asana is executed with simplicity and ease coupled with confidence desired result is always achieved.

If a break of a month or two occurs then one must one's mind to it and start practicing again. It will take less time to reach original level of flexibility than it did at onset.

If a small meal of solid food is consumed then ideally yogasanas must not be practiced for next hour and a half.

A small snack can be consumed 10 minutes after yoga but one must wait for at least half an hour to enjoy a bigger meal.

Instead of increasing number of asanas time taken to practice an asana should be gradually increased.

Breathing should be deep and long during practice. When body is bent or twisted breath is exhaled and when straightened breath is inhaled.

Pranayam is practiced after completing yogasanas. As it is with yogasanas, time taken to practice pranayam should be gradually increased.

While practicing asana mind should be focused only on asana. If one is not able to attain complete posture then one should, at least, have posture in mind's eye while practicing asana.

Pranayam is not to be practiced in a dirty and polluted environment.

It is advisable to wait for at least two hours after a meal to practice Pranayam.

Pranayam can be easily practiced at any time of a day.

Padmasana and Vajrasana are the best asanas while practicing Pranayam.

Body should be relaxed and face peaceful and serene. Stress should not experienced by any part of body.

Perform Kayotsarg after practice of asanas and then practice Pranayam.

Practitioner of Pranayam should avoid cigarettes and other intoxicants.

Breathing should be gentle and never forceful. Time of holding of breath should be gradually increased.

Sheetkaari, Sheetali and Chandrabhedi Pranayam should be avoided during cold season. But all those who have a tendency towards 'Pitta' can practice them.

In summer season Bhastrika, Suryabhedi Pranayam, Sarvangasthamban Pranayam are to be avoided. But all those who have tendency towards "Kapha" can practice them.

All those who have a tendency towards "Vataa" should avoid Sheetkaari, Shetali and Chandrabhedi Pranayam. Vataa tends to be aggravated by them.

Pranayam can be practiced in Padmasana, Siddhasana, Swastikasana, Vajrasana and Sukhasana.

Places that are damp, dusty and of smoking zone should be avoided for Pranayam.

All those who are suffering with fever or are mentally unbalanced should avoid practice of Pranayam.

The posture adopted while practicing Pranayam should be still and restful.

Over-eating and rich, oily and spicy food (Tamasic) should be avoided.

Heart patients and persons with weak constitutions should avoid Bhastrika and Sarvagasthamban Pranayam.

Do not get impatient for results of practicing Pranayam. Start by practicing for half a minute only. Gradually increase time for practice. It is said that Prana and a lion are alike. In sheer excitement, to try and master either is going to destroy person.