Yoga, which originated in India, is a spiritual practice that accentuates physical and mental evolution. This 5,000 year old tradition has now spread far and wide across the globe. After Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed the idea of a Yoga day, the United Nations declared June 21 as International Yoga Day, reported News18.
With Yoga Day coming up tomorrow, acquaint yourself with the best practices for doing your asanas. Here are some do’s and don’ts to keep in mind while doing yoga.
Good practices
Yoga is best done early in the morning for optimal results. Most people prefer to do it right after dawn. One must do it on an empty stomach or have a light meal before it. Keep a minimum of 2-3 hours gap between the meals and yoga. Snacking on nuts and light grains can be beneficial and invigorating to the body.
Practice yoga in an open environment with plenty of fresh air. Doing it in a confined environment with little ventilation defeats the purpose of doing yoga. Keep the windows and doors open for a continuous stream of fresh air and sunlight while doing yoga.
Use a yoga mat or a blanket or a regular mat to do yoga. You can slip and slide all over the place if you do it directly on the floor. While gymming, people prefer to wear tight-fitting clothes. But while doing yoga, wear loose clothes that allow your body to breathe. Also don supportive undergarments for optimum comfort during the routine.
Always let your bodily functions happen as they would. Don’t suppress your natural urges such as sneezing and coughing while doing yoga. Those are your body’s ways of getting rid of the toxins.
What to avoid
Avoid doing yoga if you are suffering from fever or any other infection or injury. While yoga may look easy-going, it is a form of exercise and it is better to refrain from it until you have fully recovered. Resume it only after taking complete rest.
Regular yoga asanas must not be done when menstruating as it can take a toll on your already fragile body. The regular asanas are also not recommended after the third month of pregnancy. It is better to opt for asanas that are relaxing and doesn’t require too much of stretching. This too should be done after consulting the physician.
Completely avoid the intake of any harmful substances like alcohol and mind-altering drugs while performing yoga. Your body should be completely healthy and toxin-free for the yoga to have maximum benefit on the body.
