It is slightly over two months since we started posting various yoga poses, their benefits and how to perform them. Today the focus is on addressing the questioners a beginner may have about yogic practice. If you have any questions for which you don't find answers here, kindly feel free to send your question in the comment section below.
Is Yoga a Religion?
Yoga has been practiced around the world for various reasons including maintaining optimum health, to lose or gain weight, to heal or prevent a health condition, to be relieved of stress. While practicing yoga offers all these benefits, there is more to yoga.
Yoga is a co-ordination of body, mind and soul. This co-ordination leads to elevation of your subconscious mind to a higher plane where you feel one with universe.
Yoga relieves all negativity and promotes positive thoughts thereby promoting the quality of your thoughts and life.
Yoga is a science. It nurtures your body, mind health and improves your relationship with self and others around you.
யோகா இனம், மதம், நாடு போன்ற வரையறைகளுக்கு அப்பாற்பட்டது. யோகா என்பது ஒரு கலை.
Yoga can be simply defined as the way of life.
How many days / hours per week should one practice yoga?
While there is no general rule to the number of days / hours yoga should be practiced in a week, to experience optimum benefits from yogic practice, it is recommended to practice for at least 3 days a week. You can practice for one hour during every session. When you run short of time, you can tailor-make it to suit your needs and have a 20-minute session.
3) Should we avoid non-veg to practice yoga?
There is absolutely no need to stop eating non-vegetarian foods. You can eat all types of foods that are good for your health.
4) Can those with poor flexibility levels practice yoga? Will there be any benefit in practicing yoga if we cannot perform a pose in its full form?
It is highly essential to practice yoga in case of low flexibility levels. With practice flexibility will improve. The benefits of yoga can be experienced even if you are at present unable to perform a pose in its complete form. You can always use the support of yoga block to perform any pose that you feel is challenging to your flexibility levels.
5) Should we practice yoga only on mat? Which type of surface or mat is best suited for yoga?
Yoga should not be performed directly on the floor. It is best you use some blanket or yoga mat for your yoga sessions. In case of blankets it is advised to go for cotton. We will shortly cover the features to look for while going for a yoga mat.
6) Can yoga be performed during menstrual cycle?
There are various schools of thought regarding this aspect. Some yoga masters recommend against practicing yoga during the first three days of menstrual cycle while a few others recommend doing poses other than inversions. Basically, it is best to do mild yoga poses and relax in Rest Pose.
7) Can pregnant women practice yoga?
Women who have never practiced yoga before pregnancy should not attempt to do any pose other than prenatal poses. Again it is highly recommended they practice those poses under the guidance of yoga instructor. It is also recommended not to practice yoga during the first trimester. Women who have already been practicing yoga before pregnancy, can perform poses they were already performing. However, during the first trimester they need to do mild poses; standing poses work best. During next trimester they can perform all poses. During the last trimester they need to perform only yoga poses that support easy birth.
கர்ப்பம் தரிப்பதற்கு முன்பிருந்தே தொடர்ந்து தீவிர ஆசனப் பயிற்சியில் இருந்து வந்த பெண்கள், கர்ப்பகாலத்திலும் அவர்கள் முன்னரே செய்து வந்த ஆசனங்களை முடிந்த அளவு செய்யலாம். ஆனாலும், முதல் மூன்று மாதங்களுக்கு மிகவும் மிதமான ஆசனங்களை மட்டுமே பயில்வது நல்லது; நின்று செய்யும் ஆசனங்களை மட்டுமே பயில்வது சிறந்தது. அடுத்த மூன்று மாதங்களுக்கு அவர்கள் கர்ப்பம் தரிப்பதற்கு முன் செய்து வந்த ஆசனங்களைப் பயிலலாம். கடைசி மூன்று மாதங்களுக்கு சுகப் பிரசவத்துக்கான ஆசனங்களை மட்டுமே செய்வது நல்லது.
8) How long before we could practice yoga after delivery?
Those who had normal delivery can start practicing in month or two. Those who had C-section should perform poses after five months.
9) What if there is an urge to fart during practice?
Just let it go. Never suppress the body's urge to fart. However, you can also ensure you avoid foods that cause flatulence the day before your yoga session outside.
10) Can yoga be practiced while unwell?
It is not recommended to practice yoga during times of illness. Just let your body heal itself by supporting it with adequate rest.
