If you’re considering starting to practice yoga, I’m sure you have one thought in mind: “It looks pretty easy.” You’re partially correct, but there’s more to yoga than basic stretching and meditation. It goes far deeper than you can think, and there are rules that must be strictly followed.
Six important rules in yoga:
- Sessions Start with a Prayer
- Warm Up Before Practicing Yoga
- Practice in a Well-Ventilated Space
- Unless Otherwise Indicated, Always Breathe Through the Nostrils
- Practice Yoga on an Empty Stomach
- Wear Comfortable Clothes
Yoga is generally practiced with the aim of relaxation and deeply felt healing. However, there are several fundamental guidelines that every yogi must follow. For a more meaningful yoga experience, these ground rules have to be observed and followed. Read on and don’t miss out!
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Each Yoga Session Begins with a Prayer
Yoga is significantly more profound than one might assume. With this premise, one of the most important rules to remember is that every yoga practice begins with an invocation. This is a custom that is supposed to improve the effectiveness of yoga practices and the prayers are also said to demonstrate utmost gratitude for the yoga practice.
Yoga prayers or mantras have also been shown to help with breathing. According to one study, reciting prayers and mantras six times in a minute can result in considerable increases in cardiovascular rhythms.
Yoga prayers are recited in Sanskrit, an old and traditional Indian language. They can be chanted loudly or quietly in one’s thoughts. In addition to being recited as an introductory prayer for each yoga class, they can also be recited at the end of the session.
Warming Up Before Every Yoga Session is Necessary
Just like every exercise routine, yoga also requires a prior warm-up stretch. Doing so can help prevent potential injuries as warm-up stretches have been shown to decrease muscle stiffness and boost suppleness. Warming up before the yoga session can also help set your mindset, allowing you to focus your mind on meditation and your yoga practice.
Even if most yoga sessions begin with a warm-up routine, performing a few fundamental postures on your own is an excellent idea to prepare for the practice ahead. You can try easy stretches such as leg stretches and other easy poses.
Practice Yoga in a Well-Ventilated Space
Another thing to remember, especially if you’re performing yoga at home, is to practice in a well-ventilated environment, meaning that the room or studio should have enough air circulation. This is mostly due to the importance of proper breathing in yoga practice, particularly in Pranayama, which can only be accomplished with just enough clean air circulation.
Opening windows or doorways are one of the most popular and simple solutions to provide enough clean air ventilation in a yoga studio. This aids in the proper circulation of both interior and outdoor air. Using a high-end air purifier or any ventilation device is also advisable, especially if the studio lacks windows to open.
Breathing Through the Nostrils
Breathing via the nostrils, unless otherwise instructed, is another important rule to remember when doing yoga. Compared to breathing through the nose, breathing via the mouth is essentially fast, nearly harsh and may have an aggressive influence on the neurological system during the performance and execution of poses.
Breathing through your nose can also assist in filtering the air you inhale. According to one article, breathing through the nose warms and humidifies the air before it is delivered to the lungs. Furthermore, inhaling via the nose is equivalent to massaging your pituitary gland since the air brought in through the nose also goes through the sinuses across the face and reaches the skull.
Practice Yoga on an Empty Stomach
You read that right! You can’t practice yoga if you have a full stomach. Performing yoga on an empty stomach is the most effective way to get the most out of a yoga practice. Having a full stomach requires a lot of energy to digest, which might leave you with little to no energy to do your poses and stretches. Keep in mind that yoga requires a lot of energy, which might be detrimental to your digestive system, making you bloated and gassy.
Aside from having inconsistent energy levels and a compromised digestive system, having a full stomach while practicing yoga might make it difficult for you to do yoga postures since your stomach is completely laden and bulky. Just imagine stretching while feeling heavy in the abdomen, that’s how uncomfortable and difficult it can be.
Wear Comfortable Clothing during Yoga Sessions
Wearing comfortable clothing is also vital to easily execute yoga poses. You would not want to exercise in bulky clothing or tight pants. That would simply make yoga practices more difficult, even painful.
Yoga pants or shorts are commonly worn by yogis to allow easy leg stretches. A breathable, narrow top that won’t drape over the face while upside down is preferred for the upper clothing and a sports bra is highly suggested for women practitioners. Overall, search for clothing that is comfortable, breathable, and flexible. These will aid in injury prevention and make yoga poses simpler to do.
Conclusion
The six most important rules in yoga are as follows: 1) Each session should begin with a prayer or invocation, 2) Warming up before practice, 3) Practice in a well-ventilated space, 4) Always breathe through the nose, unless otherwise indicated, 5) Practice yoga on an empty stomach, and 6) Wear comfortable, breathable, and flexible clothing. Observing these rules can help you maximize your yoga session and will definitely help you feel better, relaxed, and renewed.
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Yoga is both a way of being and practical science, with five key principles: 1) Proper Exercises (Asanas), 2) Appropriate Breathing (Pranayama), 3) Decent Relaxation, 4) Good Diet and Nutrition, and 5) Concentration and Positive Thinking.
Alignment, attention, and breathing are the three most crucial parts of yogic activities. These three elements should be kept in mind at all times by all yogis, regardless of their degree of practice.
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Please note: This blog post is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Please consult a legal expert to address your specific needs.
Meet Shawn Chun: Entrepreneur and Yoga Fan
I’m a happy individual who happens to be an entrepreneur. I have owned several types of businesses in my life from a coffee shop to an import and export business to an online review business plus a few more and now I create online yoga business resources for those interested in starting new ventures. It’s demanding work but I love it. I do it for those passionate about their business and their goals. That’s why when I meet a yoga business owner in public at a studio or anywhere else I see myself. I know how hard the struggle is to retain clients, find good employees and keep the business growing all while trying to stay competitive.
That’s why I created Yoga Business Boss: I want to help future yoga business owners like you build a thriving business that brings you endless joy and supports your ideal lifestyle.