Basic Guidelines for Yoga Practices

Guidelines before starting yoga practice

Cleanliness – an important prerequisite for Yogic practice. It includes cleanliness of surroundings, body and mind.
Yogic practice should be performed in a calm and quiet atmosphere with a relaxed body and mind.
Yogic practice should be done on an empty stomach or light stomach. Consume small amount of honey in lukewarm water if you feel weak.
Bladder and bowels should be empty before starting Yogic practices.
A mattress, Yoga mat, or folded blanket should be used for the practice.
Light and comfortable cotton clothes are preferred to facilitate easy movement of the body.
Yoga should not be performed in state of exhaustion, illness, in a hurry or in acute stress conditions.
In case of chronic disease/ pain/ cardiac problems, a physician or a Yoga therapist should be consulted prior to performing Yogic practices.
Yoga experts should be consulted before doing Yogic practices during pregnancy and menstruation.

Practice sessions should start with a prayer or invocation as it creates a conducive environment to relax the mind.
Yogic practices shall be performed slowly, in a relaxed manner, with awareness of the body and breath.
Do not hold the breath unless it is specially mentioned to do so during the practice.
Breathing should be always through the nostrils unless instructed otherwise.
Do not hold body tightly, or jerk the body at any point of time.
Perform the practices according to your own capacity.
It takes some time to get good results, so persistent and regular practice is very essential.
There are contra-indications/ limitations for each Yoga practice and such contra-indications should always be kept in mind.
Yoga session should end with meditation and deep silence.

Hope you will understand and enjoy the yoga guidelines.