PRELIMINARY THINGS TO KNOW.

                              preliminary things to know.

 There are a few things to know before actually beginning Yogasanas or postures.Human body is like a machine.Just like how a machine is to be oiled and cleaned to keep it in good condition and to use it for a long time,our body is to be looked after daily for at least 30 minutes.,to have long and healthy life. Yogasanas keep the internal and external parts of the body in good health.

1. Early morning is the ideal time for yogasanas.If one can not get up early at least soon after getting up asanas should be practiced. 
2. Before starting yoga practice ,the bowels and the bladder should be emptied 
3. Clothing should be comfortable,like a stretch pant and a t shirt.
4. Asanas should be practiced on a level ground on a carpet.
5. The place should be clean and noise free.
6. One should remain silent and concentrate on breathing while practicing breathing.
7. Concentration is necessary for all round progress of body and mind.
8. There should not be any force or jerk in practicing asanasTthey should be performed in a slow and steady manner ,not in a haste.
9. If one is suffering from fever or any complicated disease,the practice should be avoided.
10. Women should not practice asanas 4 months after conception, for3 months after delivery and during menstruation.
11. Before starting the practice one should do a small warm up of the body by moving all the joints in clock wise and anti clock wise direction.This is to prepare the body for practice.These are called" sukshma vyayama". 
12. After completing asanas one should perform " savasana "[lying flat and relaxing.] By savasana body becomes energetic.

         Yogasanas are preferable to other types of physical exercises for some reasons.

1. Yogasanas can be started at any age 
2. Unlike other physical exercises, ,internal organs of the body also get proper exercise. 
3. Yogasanas have impact on the body ,mind and senses and calm the mind and control the senses.
4. After some time for any reason if yoga practice is discontinued,there will not be any side effect,like gaining weight or obesity. But once we stop any other exercise like work out at gymnasium ,there will be weight gain again.
5. Yoga doesn't require any expensive equipment.
6. Body becomes flexible and energetic and one looks younger.
7. .Yogasanas stimulate different glands of the body and they produce secretions in right proportion to help the body function properly.
8. Diseases like constipation,head ache,gas-trouble,diabetes blood pressure,hernia,respiratory problems etc. can be cured by practicing yogasanas and pranayama
9. Yoga also helps intellectual and spiritual development.     

     As I have discussed above, if yogasanas are practiced methodically,followed by "pranayama'[controlled breathing] and simple food,one will definitely enjoy good health.People are often misguided by the advertisements offering different products to control diseases or weight within no time.But there is no such miracle which works instantly.Yoga is the safe ,scientific . time-tested and inexpensive method which gives tremendous treasure of health.
                           
                           

         
             As shown above these are the natural rules for a healthy life.Fresh air.water and sun shine are abundant in supply in the nature.Only diet ,exercise and rest are to be taken care of for a healthy life..
                                   
           In continuation of this I would like to discuss  "surya namaskaras' or Sun salutations in my next article.