Thursday 6 October 2011

Precautions For Beginners

Q1. Can yoga be done on an empty stomach?
The best way to sit for practice is on an empty stomach. However a practitioner may have a cup of milk before an hour if it is required. But it is strictly forbidden to practice right after having a heavy meal. Even having a session when thirsty or on an empty stomach is not recommended.
Q2. Is 'warming up' required for yoga?
There is absolutely no need of 'warming up' before a yoga session. However, there can be stiffness in muscles in the initial period but a continuous practice of asanas will ease them. Doing simple asanas and Surya Namaskars can gradually loosen the stiff muscles and joints.
Q3. What is the ideal time a practitioner needs to spend daily on his practice?
The ideal time for practicing yoga daily is 1 hour. However, initially it can be half-an-hour but with gradual practice it should live upto 1 hour. One important factor should be kept in mind that a session shouldn't exceed more than an hour including Savasana.
Q4. What if a practitioner exercises for more than the time allotted?
It is highly recommended that a practitioner must maintain the time limit of his practice. Exceeding the time limit then may result in pulled muscles, torn tendons, strained joints and slipped disc.
Q5. What is the practical way of performing a wide range of yoga in every session?
It is not possible for a practitioner to practice every single asana regularly. It is advisable to pick 10 basic yoga asanas which should include one Mudra, one Bandha and one Pranayama along with the asanas for regular practice, which will help to keep a person healthy and youthful. However, a few extra postures are always encouraged for greater effect but they should be practiced within the stipulated time for the session.
Q6. Are variations in exercises recommendable?
The rule for yoga is the practice of the principle ones. There can be variations also to break the monotony of the same kind of yoga. But the principle ones cannot be neglected for the practice of the variations. However, they can be performed as extras within the stipulated time.
Q7. How can a beginner avoid straining?
It is always recommended not to perform any kind of asanas that may affect the weaker organs or show on your face that you are straining yourself. It is highly discouraged to bring any kind of violence to any part of the body which in may strain a muscle or tear a tendon. Yoga must be practiced with pleasure and every movement of it must be enjoyed thoroughly.
Q8. What is the benefit of practicing yoga daily?
The best thing of practicing yoga regularly is that practitioner will never feel fatigue, even at the end of the session. It could be that initially one gets tired after the entire session or after practicing some exercises. But with daily practice the fatigue disappears and makes a person fit and fine.
Q9. Why shouldn't a practitioner feel fatigue after a yoga sessions?
A proper practice session of yoga can't make a person tired. Rather it will leave behind a lease of freshness as if the person has just awakened from a sound sleep.
Q10. What if a practitioner doesn't feel fine after practicing yoga?
If a practitioner doesn't feel fine after performing his yoga session then it should be noted that either his techniques are wrong or he is straining himself too much.
Q11. What if a practitioner feels tired while performing yoga?
If a beginner feels tired after performing a posture then he should consider stopping his session immediately. It is recommended to carry out Savasana only, for relaxation and if even that doesn't help, it is better to take a glass of milk 15 minutes after the session.
Q12. Why does a beginner experience pain in the initial days?
In the initial stage, a beginner faces several pains because his muscles and joints are stiff. But with gradual practice the elasticity of the body increases and he no longer complains of pain.
Q13. When should the practice be stopped for a beginner?
The practice should be immediately put to a halt, when a practitioner is facing severe pain in any part of the body due to any of the posture. Particularly, if the pain arises in the chest, abdomen or back then that posture should be strictly avoided and a doctor should be consulted. The exercise may be resumed only after the pain is gone.
Q14. When should a beginner avoid performing strenuous yoga?
Yoga practice should be avoided during the time of illness like cough and cold, headache, vomiting, diarrhea, fever or any systematic upset. Moreover, after any kind of surgical operations yoga should be resumed only after consulting a doctor. When a practitioner is not feeling comfortable or easy on a particular day, asasnas should not be practiced, except Savasana which can be done for relaxation.
Q15. Why should we practice yoga daily?
The choice between a fretful life and a healthy life has to be picked up by an individual. If a person has more time for other activities without giving time to himself at all, then he misses his own good health. A well known doctrine says 'Health is wealth'. Therefore it is our duty to keep fit and fine to our level best. Regular yoga practice keeps a person away from sickness, fatigue and tension. Especially, in the modern age where living is stressful, yoga for an hour is inevitable.

Q16. How much of importance is there in the final pose of each asana?
Refinement of any activity is very important. In case of a posture it is very important to achieve the correct pose. However, it is more important to attain stability while doing the posture which finally leads to 'final pose' and this comes with regular practice and dedication to the work given. The act also sharpens one's intelligence towards perfection.
Q17. Is it correct to force a beginner to keep practicing inspite of a pain?
Rebuking a beginner can be a severely discouraging act. Infact, a teacher should always try the shoes of the learner, thereby coming down to the student's level and teach him to grow up with his exercises, gradually. At this point of time, a student requires a psychological boosting to be cured from his body aches and continue further.
Q18. Are there any side effects of performing excess yoga?
Over indulgence to any activity has an adverse effect. Similarly, too much of yoga for an extended period of time will end up creating irritations in the body. Excessive practice can lead to fatigue, sleepless nights, increase in blood pressure, dehydration and premature aging. Even certain exercises done for a prolonged period of time can cause damage to brain and circulatory system.
Q19. How does a beginner get to know whether he has mastered the asana perfectly?
It's very important to test the improvement of a pose which is heading towards perfection. However, the easiest way to know is that when posture happens spontaneously, then one should assume that he has attain perfection in that particular pose. For example, as walking happens to us naturally in the similar way the pose should come to us naturally when we are practicing it, without any difficulty.

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