asanas Archives

December 2, 2020 By GOQii 70 Comments

Dos and Don’ts of Yoga: Rules to Practicing Yoga Safely

When we asked some of our new players what their interpretation of Yoga is, their response was on the lines of ‘People twisting and turning their bodies like pretzels while chanting and sitting like a statue’. Is that what it really is? We took this question as an opportunity to explain what yoga is and what are its basic dos and don’ts.

What is Yoga?

It is a system- a holistic system of refining the body, the mind and the spirit in unison. Ultimately, it is well-being, peace and bliss. Yogic postures help strengthen the endocrine system and also bring the emotions under control through concentration and relaxation.

The ability to remain in relaxed equilibrium has an important psychological effect. For the basics on yoga and what it is, you can check out this blog: Yoga for the beginners: some myths and benefits

Yogis, through their physical training, gradually learn to keep their psychological equilibrium unaltered to preserve a perfect psychological calmness in whatever environment they happen to find themselves in.

Yoga is the only way by which the highest objective in life can be attained. To decipher the great science and the benefits which it claims, it is essential to understand few basic dos and don’ts which we often tend to neglect.

What You Should Do

“Early to bed and early to rise makes man healthy, wealthy and wise,” is an universal adage. Yoga practitioners should go to bed early, sleep well and get up early in the morning. Next, attend to their morning routine of freshening up and begin yoga in fasting mode. It can also be practiced 1 hour after a liquid diet, 3 hours after refreshments or 5 hours after full meals.
One could practice it before bath but after practice one should wait for some time and then take a bath.
It should be practiced on a leveled floor in a room where doors and windows are kept open for air and light.
It is helpful in many ways to practice yoga in a place where you can receive the rays of the early morning sun.
One should not practice it directly on the ground, on cement or mortar floor. Instead, spread a carpet, a blanket or a clean cloth, sit on it and practice by facing east or north in the morning, west or south in the evening.
One should practice yoga calmly without any haste or exhaustion. If one is tired he or she should rest for a while in a comfortable posture.
One should try to practice it everyday, preferably at the same time.
While practicing yoga, one should concentrate on the practice alone and try to keep away from other thoughts.
During the practice of asanas, the dirt in the internal organs of the body is directed towards the urinary bladder. Soon after completion, one should pass out urine.
If you feel like attending nature’s call while practicing, go ahead and do it immediately. One should not hold it back forcefully for a long time. One should also not try to suppress sneezing, coughing, etc. If one feels thirsty one can drink a little water as well.
If one sweats during practice, he or she should slowly wipe it out either by a cloth or with the palms. It is better if it dries up automatically.
Pranayama should follow the asanas and meditation should follow Pranayama.
Always lay on your back after finishing postures. 2 to 5 minutes with relaxed breathing.
Movements should be slow in every case. Sudden movements should be avoided.

What You Should Avoid

Women should refrain from regular practice during their menses or pregnancy. However, for them there are specific set of asanas that can be performed.
Don’t have a full tummy while doing yoga, wait until 2 to 3 hours after large meals.
Don’t touch (shower) or drink water for 30 minutes after practice.
During illness, after operations, when there is a bandage either for sprains or fractures, one should refrain from practice. They can resume after consulting experts.
Don’t perform strenuous exercises after yoga.
One should avoid practice in unclean/smoky places and in areas with foul smell
Yoga should not be practiced in stormy winds either

Just knowing the asanas in its correct form along with the basic knowledge of Dos and Don’ts would add much more value to your yoga practice!

To read more about yoga, check out Healthy Reads. To practice yoga the right way, follow LIVE sessions conducted by our experts on GOQii Play.

Did you find this article helpful? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

#BeTheForce

June 21, 2020 By GOQii 4 Comments

8 Interesting Facts About Yoga You May Not Know

By this time around, we are all well-versed about yoga and what it can do to your mind, body and soul. We all know that it began in India, it consists of physical asanas and breathing techniques. At some point in time, we have even attempted yoga.

Then, there are some facts that not many people know about. So the next time you’re at a social gathering with your yogi friends, you can just share these interesting facts with them as your learning of the day!

1. Yoga is Found in One of the Oldest Texts in the World

The word ‘yoga’ was first mentioned in the Rig Veda, written approximately around 1500 B.C or before! This only goes to show that yoga has been in our culture since time memorial, especially if it was mentioned in one of the oldest texts in the world!

2. Yoga Can Cause Injuries

Yes, it can heal your mind, body and soul. It can also alleviate a lot of health issues but it can hurt you as well. Yoga is like a double-edged sword, if not practiced correctly, you could injure yourself. But don’t get too tangled! If you find a good enough teacher (like Ronak Gajjar and Sheetal Tewari on GOQii Play :D) and exercise caution, you should be fine!

3. It Reduces the Risk of Heart Disease

Other than reducing stress, it also helps lower blood pressure, blood cholesterol, and blood glucose levels, thus, in turn, promoting good heart health. A handy lifestyle intervention, we’d say!

4. There is no Shortage of Variety

As a generation that is spoiled for choice, you’ll be glad to know that there is no shortage of asanas when it comes to yoga! With over 84 asanas, you’ll have plenty of variety to choose from.

5. It Can Spice Up Your Sex Life

This primarily works on two levels: mental and physical. Yoga helps you counteract stress, fatigue and poor self-image, all of which can suppress your libido. It can also help you increase your flexibility, muscle control and strength, all of which help you physically. Your sex life will be blooming after a few asanas!

6. Yogis Believe We Have Limited Number of Breaths

This explains the reason why breathing is so controlled in yoga. Yogis often practiced it as a means to increase their lifespan. As they believed that each human has a limited amount of breaths allotted to them, controlling their breath would help them prolong their life.

7. Lord Shiva is Considered the First Yogi

Lord Shiva is considered the progenitor of yoga, the first yogi or the Adiyogi. He was the first one who sowed the seeds of yoga into the human mind. Lord Shiva had imparted the wisdom of yoga to seven individuals who came to be known as Saptarishis and were tasked with spreading it throughout the world.

8. Yoga Can Increase Your Lifespan

When people say “Yoga is Life”, they aren’t lying. It improves your heart health, helps you lose weight, makes your bones stronger, aids digestion and improves mental and emotional health, to name a few. With so much work going into your body, you are bound to live a long and fruitful life!

Now that you’re all geared up on knowledge, it is time to share it with the world!

If you want to brush up on your yoga skills or want to learn it, subscribe to GOQii Play within the GOQii App and learn from specialists on our platform.

Did we miss out on any interesting facts? Do you know some more? Share them with us in the comments below!

#BeTheForce and wish you a Happy and Blissful Yoga Day!