THE BONAFIDE TECHNIQUE OF YOGA PRACTICE

Yoga means ‘Union’- the union of God, or union of the ego-self with the divine, it is the union of the individual consciousness with universal consciousness.

Y= YOUTHFUL
O= OBSERVANT
G= GROWTH
A= AUTHENTIC

According to me, these are the qualities a yogi/yogini should take into account while practicing Yoga. A practitioner should teach their students to feel Youthful from the inside as well as from their mind. They should be Observant in practicing a particular asana- the proper method, pros & cons. They must seek Growth in achieving their goals and should remain Authentic towards their practice and ambition.

Yoga is an Art- unless it is practiced intuitively and sensitively it will yield only greater results, and Science as it offers practical methods for controlling body and mind, thereby making deep meditation possible. There is no competition in Yoga, only patience and persistence pay off in the long run.

Now let’s outline the basic principles of physical Yoga:

STRETCH: In Yoga, muscles are to be stretched gently. When the point of maximum stretch is reached, the stretch should be maintained for 30-60 seconds. Stretching too far will provoke pain so make sure you do not stretch beyond your limit.

SLOW PACE: The movements should be slow and made at a constant, unhurried pace, without force, jerking or pulling.

DEEP BREATHING: Asanas must be done with deep, calm and regular breathing. It is preferable to inhale and exhale through your nose.

ENDING WITH SAVASANA (CORPSE POSE): It is a position of absolute rest and relaxation. You must do it at the end of the Yoga session as it heals your body completely.

# The ideal time to practice Yoga is in the morning but one can practice it in the evening as well. Ensure that you are empty stomach while practicing Yoga or at least a gap of 3-5 hours is mandatory after meals. You should practice Yoga in a calm and tranquil environment.

Anamika Anand
Fitness Expert