Rules For Asanas Practice
Now, you must be hearing the word, ‘asanas’ for the umpteenth time. If you are thinking about a holistic way of life, or have already adopted the same, this is for you. The science of yoga and asanas, goes beyond the pre-Vedic times. So, to demystify a bit, asanas are the visible part of yoga. They are poses, to be precise. Your body can take up numerous poses. Yoga means ‘union’, and through asanas, you can facilitate that union with the higher order or consciousness. The kind that poses, which can help you to align yourself with the universe, is called ‘Yogasana’.
If you happen to join the yoga teacher training in rishikesh, you will understand more about the same. However, if you are still undecided, here are a few facts, that can help you make that ultimate change in your life. You must have noticed, that different emotions govern the way you sit and stand. Or better still, walk, and look around. When you are happy, you behave in one manner. Then again, when you are sad, you behave in another manner. Many times, you will be able to tell, what the other person is feeling, just by seeing that person from a distance.
Before, you start looking for the rules and directions for yoga practice, you must know, that yoga is not an exercise. They are basically used to bring about subtle changes in your psychic being. You have to do yoga, with a certain level of awareness. You can engage in different genres of asanas, depending on the yogic level or expertise you are in. Some people practice asanas, on a mere physical level, whereas others perform it at the soul level.
You have to be aware of the sensations, breath, mantras, and flow of energy throughout the process. You must have heard of the yoga form, called Hatha Yoga. It mainly denotes a unification of the ‘ha’ and the ‘tha’. Ha is the sun energy, whereas Tha is the moon energy. One half is man and the other half is a woman. Lord Shiva is the origin, from where all other forms of yoga have risen in current times.
Before, you start learning about the rules of asana practice, you need to know, what it really is.
Hatha Yoga – 84 Asanas
This is the basic form which you will learn about, at the best yoga school in Rishikesh. As we already said, other forms originate from this yoga form. Hatha Yoga is a form, which prepare the physical body and the mind to handle the challenging road ahead. Hatha Yoga mainly comprises of 84 poses or asanas. Now, you should not think, that the number 84 is the ultimate. There are 84 different ways to do one asana, and there are 84 outlooks as well. You can know about the other ways to do and feel an asana, after you have mastered one single form, at first.
When you do Hatha Yoga, in the 200 hour yoga teacher training course, the biggest limitation which you have to handle, is your body. In fact, most people face the two obstacles on their path of salvation – mind and body. You may find this happening with you, especially because you have not explored the realm in detail. According to Lord Shiva, there are 84 poses or asanas, through which you can transform your mind and body. There are other spiritual practices, which ask you to not engage the body. The reason being, that the body is a big hindrance, in the path towards enlightenment. When you try to stretch, the legs feel stiff. When you try to balance yourself on your arm, the weight of the body weighs itself down. Gravitational force, although a huge necessity for the humans, can turn negative, when you are practicing yoga. So, you can do a few things to release the body from the shackles of earthy forces and limitations.
Take Charge of Your Life
Before you embark upon the route to enlightenment and salvation, you must do this. But how you do it, is a result of your creative genius. You may have been fed different sorts of information, and that solely reflects in the way, the body feels and behaves. The information that is already imprinted on your physiological body, is called the Karmic Body. This determines, how free you are, and how you will go about your daily duties and wants. When you decide to start with yoga, or more precisely Hatha Yoga, if you are a beginner, you have to forget the past.
Your background, your birth, and forefathers cannot determine, what you have set out to achieve. The potential to achieve through yoga practices, may be limitless. It does not actually matter, what has happened with you in the past. What matters, is how you lead your life now. Another meaning of yoga, being ‘taking charge of your life’. You will be transforming your body and mind, in accordance with the infinite possibilities. Now, you will walk on the path on which you want to.
Creating the Right Atmosphere
When you head to one of the most blissful regions, Rishikesh, you will understand, what is meant here. The environment has a huge role to play here. However, it is not just about the outer environment, that we are talking about here. The internal environment also has a huge role to play. If your external environment is not good, you must leave that place. However, if your internal environment is not good, where do you go? You can enhance the body, where your soul resides. It is the abode of containment and contentment. You can work on infinite possibilities, when you are calm and composed. The yoga that you do, or want to do, is dependent on your life’s goals. If you want to run the rat race, you will be making dynamism a part of your life. In case, you want to become the slow and steady tortoise, you will practice yoga in another way.
Enhance What You Perceive
An individual can become anyone, but that actually depends on the way, one perceives things. You are, what you are, right now, because of the way, you perceive things. You will become someone, or like someone, if you follow the pathway in a certain way. The entire system of yogic sciences, is about perceiving who you are, and what you are. Here comes the reason, why we are discussing all this. If your asana alignment is correct, you can align with the universe. The 84 yoga asanas, which we talked about are actually the 84 alignments. If you master just one asana, and do the others, in accordance with that, you can gain mastery over the realm, and yourself as well.
Once you start your yoga practice on a daily basis, you will be channelizing the right ‘Prana Tatva’ in your body. It is nothing, but the life force, which we are talking about. However, like other practices, you have to adhere to some basic rules. Yoga is a combination of many kriyas, not just asanas. Before you embark upon this journey, you have to keep this thing in mind.
The main benefits of yoga can be obtained, if you create harmony between the mind, body, and soul. Learning yoga, is a matter of choice, rather than chance.
Basic Rules Decoded
All asanas and postures have a different impact on the body and mind. They can relax and rejuvenate. Moreover, some can even be dynamic. The easier you find one, the more complex it is. You have to take into account, not just the pose, but the breathing, bandhas, and mudras as well. On the other side, if you perceive an asana or pose, as more complex, it could rather have flexibility. You could approach it, the way you want to. If you have completed the 200 hour yoga teacher training, you will understand that better. The advanced course, like the 300 hour yoga teacher training can help you to achieve more perfection and poise.
Continuity – The first thing, that you need to keep in mind is continuity. You have to regular with your yoga practice. If you give your body a jolt one day, and then forget all about it, it will not yield the desired results. You cannot just start one fine day, and move into more complex exercises. You have to make it a point to move from simple ones to complex ones. You have to practice yoga sequences, serially, as taught by the teachers. You cannot just break into anyone sequence for the sake of it, or its attractiveness.
⦁ Regularity – Additionally, regularity is also very important. You should keep a certain time aside each day, for your yoga practice. If you are comfortable practicing in the morning, do so regularly. On the other hand, if you want to practice in the evening, do so at that time. This will help the body, mind, and the soul to get used to it.
⦁ Moderation – It is also absolutely important to maintain moderation, in whatever you do. If you are unable to do yoga for some time, due to some issues at work, or tiredness, then do not do. You may take rest for a while. Additionally, if you are sick, or have undergone some trauma, you should try to relax a bit. Moderation is the key to perfection.
Now, let us delve into some of the general rules here.
You should always practice yoga with bowels empty. That is why, early morning practice is good. You can practice around 5-6 am, to connect with the higher energies, that are very active around that time. However, if you are a working person, and cannot take out time in the morning, you can also do it in the evening. However, you should maintain a gap of 2-3 hours, with your last meal.
⦁ You ought to relax for 10 seconds, after each yoga asana or pose. Breaking in and out of poses, with jerks is also not advisable. Even if you are doing a dynamic form of yoga, the same rules applies. There is always a sequence, which can help the body to deal with position changes, more effectively.
⦁ You should also abstain from having too much tea and coffee, while doing yoga, or before it. You can have a banana or a protein shake instead. Herbal juices also work, as fine.
⦁ Again, comfortable clothing is a must, of you want to practice yoga. Always wear light coloured clothing, in cottons and natural fabrics. It will allow the skin to breathe. So, the prana can also travel well throughout the body.
⦁ You should start yoga with easy poses, and then move onto more difficult ones. It applies to both novices, intermediates and professionals.
⦁ All the women, must abstain from doing yoga, during their menstrual cycles. The twists and folds can exert pressure on the female reproductive organs, which can be detrimental to the overall health. That is why, one should stay away from yoga for a while.
⦁ It is also advisable, that you clear all the channels like the excretory system, respiratory system before starting with yoga. This is where, the Satkarma kriyas come in. You should ensure that the body does not have any stale food, toxins, or mucus inside it.
⦁ It is always better to take a cold shower after your yoga sessions, as the body heats up. Blood circulation is also at its best.
So, here are a few rules, that you need to keep in mind, while doing yoga, or before, or after it. Yoga is one of the best healing sciences, which can transform you. The changes will be visible, after you have aligned yourself with the forces of nature. Yoga can help you develop more calmness and thoughtfulness as well. The best schools in India, like Hrishikesh Yoga School can help you to achieve your yogic goals.
