(1) TIME : Best time to perform asanas is early in the morning –that is much earlier before sun-rise say between 4.00 a.m. and 6.00 a.m. when air is pure and fresh, atmosphere is quiet, calm, serene and undisturbed-free from any sort of pollution. Then, the next best time is towards the evening when the sun is about to set.

(2) SEASON AND PLACE : There is controversy as to the most suitable place where asanas should be practiced. During the summer period, asanas should be practiced under shade of a tree but, in beginning of winter, best time is when rays of the rising sun are visible. But in severe and extreme cold conditions, asanas should be practiced in a well-ventilated room. In rainy season, it is better to do asanas under a covered (roofed) portion which should be open from all sides. A garden, green park, or bank of a river or an open place is an ideal place. Due to paucity of space these days, one can practice asanas in one’s own room whose windows should be opened to let in fresh air and light. The place where asanas are performed should be neat, clean soft and dry. Spread some folded sheet. Blanket on the floor, if asanas are to be done on ground.

(3) CLOTHES: clothes worn should be loose and according to external factors governing weather. Loose and easy worn clothes will enable will also be smooth and unhindered. It is advisable to bear minimum clothes on the body so that fresh air and sun-rays can have salutary effect on the body. Dress should be soft, easy and comfortable and in no way, the body should feel tightened or over draped.

(4) If asanas are practiced after taking a bath, it is the best way. But, in any case, ensure that call of nature has been fully answered. Cleanse mouth, eyes, throat, ears, nose and hands after attending to call of nature. Some expects differ on prior bathing. They maintain that, during the process of performing asanas, the body sweats profusely and certain toxins are also excreted by the body. Hence, taking bath 30-45 minutes after the exercise is the best method. It will rid the body of foul smell, sweat odour etc. It should be borne in mind that bath is never taken immediately after finishing the asanas. There must be a gap of an hour in-between.

(5) Never do any asana when the body is diseased, as an ailing body will not be able sustain and bear aftermath (of effects) of asanas.

(6) Asana are not meant to tire you, rather they are tailored to tone up your body, brian and intellect. So, never exceed your individual capacity. Avoid exertion in any sort of discomfort, immediately discontinue to practice any asana. Instead practice a relaxed posture (Shavaasan-corpse pose) to soothe down and normalize your breath, blood pressure, fatigue and other types of discomfort. Regular adherence to yogic asanas will bring Suppleness, flexibility and strength to your body.

(7) Practise sukhaasna or Shavaasna before and after performance of routine asanas. It will rejuvenate, energise and render your breathing normal. Conclusion of asanas must be followed by shavaasna, if the latter is not possible prior to starting practice of asanas.

(8) Before deciding to embark upon practicing asanas, it is always better to seek guidance and advice from an experienced yoga teacher. It is most important when a person has any acute or chronic disease, in which case the yoga expert will ordain and tailor his advice, keeping in view physical health status of the seeker.

(9) Only one asana should be preformed once, which may be followed by other asanas. Movement of limbs, from start to finish, should be uniform, rhythmic and slow. If you are ever in a hurry, do not do any asana. One should not stay in the final position of an asana, for more than a few seconds, before he relegates/returns to the pre-asana position.

(10) Never be in a hurry, as you are not completing an academic course. You can always taper down the number of asanas and can also reduce repetition number of an asana. It is always better to defer than rushing through prescribed/stated whatever, whichever and whenever you perform an asana, it must be complete. It is better to complete a single asana in a hush. But, never sacrifice proper technique to hurried methods.

(11) fasting is a good device as it purges and cleans the body of toxins and foreign matters. But if you feel weak, after completing a fast abandon your asana programme (s) until you regain normalcy. Persistence with a weak body, couple with practiced of asanas, will only spell disaster as, ultimately, you will be a dismal loser.

(12) Never practice pranayam (holding of breath) when there is soot, dust, smoke, storm etc. If dust-storm surfaces during an asana, at once abandon your practice and seek refuge in a non-polluting and dust free place. Avoid vitiated and polluted environs for pranayam.

(13) Your diet should be simple, well balanced light, nutritious and satiating to your temperament and taste (diet during illness is an exception)

(14) Certain asanas are and can be easily linked to some physical ailments. So, such ailing persons are advised, in their own interest, to seek the expert advice of an yogic expert as to which asanas he should opt for.

(15) Massaging the body once a week is quite beneficial and no exercise/asana should be done the day when body is massaged. In winter sunbath or basking in the sun will bestow immense advantages.

(16) Asanas are not physical exercise or like any game or sport, It is not meant to build up your body like a wrestler, boxer, team player, swimmer, or any other player, rather it is a way to sublimity, self-purification, physical and mental well-being –a way to rid you of the poisons which cause tremendous health hazards. So, those who wish to take this unique method of physical/mental fitness and uplift for a ride or wish to substitute it for any other pattern of health promotion, are better advised not to practice yoga.
After spelling out, in a reasonable detail, various essential aspects of yoga, we will now try to deal with application of yogic kriyas and asanas, so far as its utility to diabetes is concerned.
Readers are advised to go through, once again, on the process of digestive system (In the initial portion of this book) which forms the core of basic causes of diabetes.

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