Rules and Necessary Precautions For Asanas and Pranayama

Now we know how important Yogasana and Pranayama are for our health. Yogasanas and Pranayama should always be started under the supervision of a qualified Guru (teacher). Because if it is not done in the right way, then it may not cause harm instead of benefit. Here in this article, we will talk about the precautions, Do’s and Don’ts of yoga and pranayama.

Never do these mistakes while doing yoga

• People who have flowing ears, weak eye stars and weak heart, they should not do Shirshasana.
• People having pain in abdominal organs and enlargement of the spleen should not do Bhujangasana (cobra pose), Shalabhasana (Locust pose), Dhunrasana (bow pose).
• A person suffering from constipation should not do Yogamudra, or Paschimottanasana  (seated forward bend pose)for a long time.
• Generally, Uddiyan and Nauli should not be performed in case of heart failure.
  Ujjai Pranayama and Kumbhak should not be done in case of weakness of the lungs.
• People who have high blood pressure should not do rigorous yogic exercises.

General precautions of Asanas and Pranayama

• The effect of yogic practice should not be tiring or energizing. There should be a feeling of complete euphoria after yogic practice.
• It is not necessary to do the entire sequence of exercises continuously. Resting can also be done in between as per the requirement.
• There should be no stress on any system of the body due to the force applied during the practice.
• Performing the posture with confidence while remaining alert, the goal is fulfilled.
  If the practice has stopped for a long time in between, then practice it again. Its full volume can be reached in less time than before.
• After taking a small amount of solid food, one should not practice yoga for about one and a half hours.
• Do not eat food for half an hour and breakfast for 10 minutes after yoga practice.
• Gradually increase the practice of asanas. Instead of doing more asanas in less time, try to increase the time of asanas.
• Generally, breathing should be deep and long in the asana. If you have to bend and twist the body, do catharsis at that time, and while straightening it, supplement it.
• Do pranayama after asanas. Increase the practice of Pranayama gradually.
• While doing asanas, keep your mind alert, and keep yourself engrossed in it. At least make a concrete form of that seat with your mental eyes.

Also Read: Scientific Importance of Yoga Asanas and Yogic Activities

Special precautions of Asana and Pranayama

• Do not do Pranayama in a dirty-contaminated environment.
• Do not do Pranayama in bed with your face covered.
• Do not do pranayama for two hours after a meal.
• Sahaja Pranayama can be done at any time.
• Padmasana and Vajrasana are the best postures while doing Pranayama.
• Keep the body relaxed and the facial expression calm and non-reactive. There should be no tension on any part of the body.
• After doing asana, do pranayama by doing Shavasana (corpse pose).
• Pranayama practitioners should not smoke and consume other stimulants.
• Do not do forceful breathing. Kumbhak practice should be increased gradually, not all at once.
• Sheetkari, Sheetali and Chandrabhedi Pranayama should not be done in general in winter. But people with pitta prakriti can do these pranayamas.
• Do not do Bhastrika, Suryabhedi Pranayama, Sarvangastambhan Pranayama in summers. But a person with phlegm predominant nature can do them.
• People with Vata predominant nature should not do cooling pranayama, because it increases Vayu dosha.
• While practising Pranayama, use Padmasana (lotus pose), Siddhasana, Swastikasana and Sukhasana.
• Pranayama can also be done in Vajrasana.
• Don’t do Pranayam in smoky, dusty, damp environment.
• A person suffering from fever and neurotic should not do Pranayama.
• The posture of sitting in Pranayama should be calm and stable.
• Don’t use excessive diet, vindictive and dignified food.
• Weak and heart patients should not use Bhastrika, Sarvangastambhan Pranayama.
• Don’t be hasty for Pranayama-Siddhi. Gradually increase the practice by half a minute.
• Trying to control the prana in haste leads to self-destruction.