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With so many avenues open to learn more about Yoga, here are a few suggestions to help you take the next step. Mirka Kraftsow suggests, “What makes a doctor so special is how he has learned to use medicine. The same is true with Yoga. There are great, well-rooted teachers. In looking for a teacher, check to see how the teacher pays attention to individual needs. Does the teacher have enthusiasm to direct her students to the next level of growth? The consideration is not only the style of Yoga being practiced; the intention of the teacher guiding it is just as or more important.”
What
to Wear
Clothing should be flexible, non-binding
and appropriate to season and temperature. Shorts
and a tee-shirt, tights and a leotard or a swimming
suit work well and are popular. Do not wear
socks or baggy clothing.
Where
to Practice
Practice in a clean, level, warm, well-ventilated
and private space. There should be room overhead.
It is not recommended to practice in direct
sunlight during the middle of the day in Hawaii.
When
to Practice
Practice only on an empty stomach. Wait
three to four hours after a large meal. One
to two hours after a light snack. Early morning
before any food is taken is the best time of
all.
How
Long to Practice
A two to three hour practice time, once
a day, on a daily basis is ideal for advanced
students. This is, of course, not always possible.
A half an hour, or an hour, daily is still enough
time to benefit from the practice. Under extraordinary
circumstances little two to five minute sessions
spaced throughout the day are useful. Remember
five minutes of practice is far better than
none.
Equipment
Yoga
is done barefoot. You can do yoga without purchasing
any equipment at all!
A non-slip, level surface, such as a good hardwood
floor, linoleum or a firm rug can provide the
stability needed. Carpets and rugs vary greatly
as to the traction they provide. Yoga or “sticky-mats”
serve as a basic surface. Many yoga studios
also sell yoga mats and props.
Some people will find the use of a 9" x
5" x 2" wooden or foam block helpful
to achieve the full benefit of poses without
strain. Books can substitute for blocks. All
Iyengar Studios are equipped with props, including
mats and blankets. The use of these props is
included in the class fee.
Breathing
Correct breathing is essential in the postures.
It should not be too fast or too slow. Its sound
should be smooth and even. Overall it should be
pleasant, bringing awareness and alignment to
the whole body.
The
Menstrual Cycle
Yoga practice is modified during a woman's moon
cycle. Ladies should not do regular practice
during menses flow. . In particular the inverted
postures are to be avoided. Vigorous practice
or activity can disrupt or stop menses. However,
practice of postures like Trikonasana, Baddha
Konasana, Balasana and Upavistha Konasana can
relive pain around the sacrum and hips, as well
as relieve cramps. These poses also promote
deeper breathing which is conducive to a meditative
state of mind. Consult with a qualified teacher
for more details on restorative yoga and this
type of practice.
Pregnancy
Yoga practice is beneficial during pregnancy,
and can ease many of the discomforts involved
during pregnancy as well as strengthen the body
in preparation for childbirth. However, certain
postures are not advisable, and, as fetal development
proceeds, more postures need to be eliminated
from the series. New students should attend
special prenatal yoga classes with the consent
of their physician!
Therapeutic Applications
Yoga is naturally therapeutic and generates
excellent health. However, the use of yoga for
specific health problems should be done under
personal guidance with the consultation of a
physician. Yoga teaches proper alignment and
breathing, which is, of course, beneficial to
health. But when trying to cure serious health
problems, individual instruction is imperative.
Always seek the guidance of qualified health
professionals.
This on-line article is an edited version of the original. For full article, see front page O’ahu Island News, August 2002 edition.
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