Do’s & Don’ts You Must Follow Before Doing a Yoga Routine

The father of Modern Science of Yoga (Yogashasthra), Patanjali Maharshi, defines yoga as controlling the nature of mind. You can practice the most effective pranayama with a simple basic deep breathing exercise technique.

Yoga is a way of developing ourselves not just physically, but also psychologically. Yoga improves our habits, thoughts and behavior. Yoga practice can acquire peace and reduce all the negativity like ego, anger, prejudice, jealousy, greed, pride, aggression and more. And meditation is one of the main components of yoga science, which helps to conquer these negative emotions. 

Yoga followers should follow the basic guidelines given for yoga practice at home and enjoy doing yoga every day. Yoga encourages a happy, healthy and stress-free life. These are some of the general points to be kept in mind while doing Yoga:

Do’s for Yoga

• Get up early in the morning and then attend to your nature’s call, wash your teeth thoroughly, do tongue cleaning and take a bath and then start your yoga.
• A fresh and well-rested body responds to yoga better so make sure you get sound sleep the night before and start early in the morning. 

• To get the best out of yoga asanas practice early in the morning, it is preferred to practice yoga early in the morning, after taking a bath and without eating anything but can be performed before bath. Make sure to wait for some time after you practice yoga and then take bath.
• Yoga asanas should be done calmly in an unhurried manner without exertions, stress or strains. All movements of the yoga asanas should be slow, rhythmic and non-jerky. Practice yoga asanas every day regularly and preferably at the same time. 
• There is a possibility that while practicing Yoga asanas, the impurities and wastes might get accumulated within the internal organs of the body and are generally directed towards the urinary bladder. Various people experience an urge to pass urine while or after doing Yoga and so you should avoid holding the urine back forcefully for a very long period. Also, try not to repress sneezing, coughing and more. In case, you feel dehydrated or thirsty, you can sip a bit of water as well.

• Include Sattvic foods in your daily meals.

• If possible, perform yoga in open, or keep the doors, windows open for fresh air and light.
• Always practice yoga using a mat or carpet on a leveled floor.
• It is helpful to do your yoga asana practice in a fixed place every day, if possible where early morning tender sunrays fall.
• While practicing yoga, you must concentrate only on yoga and try to keep away from unwanted thoughts.

Don’ts in Yoga

• Don’t perform rigorous or strenuous exercises after yoga asanas.
• Please refrain from practicing regular yoga asana especially during your menstrual cycle (PMS) and during pregnancy. Perform asanas only after consulting your physician and your experienced yoga teacher.
• Don’t consume heavy meal immediately just before or while doing yoga asanas, wait for at least 2 to 3 hours after eating heavy meals to perform yoga.
• When suffering from fever, weakness or illness or have had any surgery, refrain from Yoga asana practice. Also don’t over-exert your body if you are suffering from fresh sprains, strains or fractures. Rest adequately and perform yoga only after full recovery after the guidance from your physician.
• Avoid smoky places and areas with foul smells and don’t practice yoga in an untidy place.
• Children below the age of five years should not be taught or forced to practice yoga.
• Refrain from consuming drugs or alcohol when doing yoga.

Over to you

Hence, yoga is the ultimate path by which the highest objectives of life can be accomplished. It is a holistic way of healthy living that provides health, longevity, vigor, awareness and alertness to the body, mind and spirit. For a beginner, yoga can be practiced by doing basic breathing exercises to achieve peace of mind.