THE RIGHT ATTITUDES TO PERFORM HATHA YOGA (Part I)
By Dario Colombera
I believe that all Yoga teachers and Yoga books should (and often they do not), remind their disciples, or readers, the main correct attitudes to perform asanas.
Therefore, I recommend to all the apprentices of Hatha Yoga the following general instructions that cannot be forgotten, marking with an (*) – the most unusual or important:
(I), Practise suitable breathing at least three minutes before the beginning of your asanas
(II), Before you start, practise the visualization of the exercise
(III*), Use tantric concentration and a karmic attitude
(IV*), Understand which is the real true perfection of asanas
(V*), Also, perform the asanas by means of muscular relaxation
(VI*), Rest and concentrate after each asana
(VII*) Understand the various meanings of the different pains you suffer during the asanas
(VIII), Maintain a detached and calm mind
(IX*), Understand the effects of the various asanas in biological terms
(X), Choose a proper place: silent, solitary, and healthy
(XI), Assume correct motivations, for instance, the improvement of the performances of your body and mind and the improvement of your control over them
(XII), Remember the most common errors to avoid: Never overdo, do not complain about your failures, and do not feel satisfied after a sound result.
(XIII), Choose the proper companions, otherwise practise your asanas alone
(XIV*), Learn with a convincing, even if somehow imperfect, teacher
(XV), Establish the times for every asana on the base of your possibilities
(XVI*), Do not overestimate the Hatha Yoga.
(XVII), Avoid useless risks.
(XVIII*), Verify personally, the effects of the various asanas in scientific terms.
(XIX*), Talk to no one about your discipline.
Paying due attention to all aspects of life, you will realize that, mutatis mutandis, such attitudes are important to achieve whatsoever target.
Moreover I suggest you:
(A), during the asanas, do not make movements different from those proposed by the teacher. For example – don’t look around, don’t speak, and do avoid distractions.
B), As far as possible, practise the asanas with empty stomach, bowel and bladder.
(C), Avoid eating immediately after the exercises; wait at least half an hour or more, until you don’t anymore feel the effects of your exercises.
(D), Avoid heavy jobs, as masons, farmers, diggers, or worse. Contrarily, Hatha Yoga integrates well with no competitive sports.
(E), Pay attention to a diet, that doesn’t fatigue you, that doesn’t make you sick, that doesn’t weaken the body, and that doesn’t agitate the mind.
The fast must be practised (see the rules of fasting) because food is always a poison (see in http://bobombera.interfree.it: The laws of life) and your diet is probably very unhealthy (confer with a Yogi or a Dietician).
Now, let’s see the above mentioned 19 suggestions about the general attitudes which are necessary to practise the asanas at your best.
(I), Start a suitable breathing since before (at least three minutes) the beginning of your asanas.
For the neophytes – a normal calm breath can be enough, but it is better to learn as soon as possible the thoracic breath (ujjayi).
The general roles about breathing are: Breathing should never be forced; the damage it can provoke are dangerous, but not immediate. If you are without a teacher, to avoid troubles with the breath, remember that:
Firstly, when you breathe deeply, never go to the top of your pulmonary capability.
Secondly, if the breath accelerates, or becomes irregular or unpleasant, this means that you have overcome your limits. Then go back to a normal breath, until you have recovered from fatigue.
The meanings of a deeper conscious breath are not all obvious, since it improves the oxygenation of the body, but also harmonizes the rhythms of the body with those of the mind – helps overcoming the feeling to possess a real objective ego. Conscious, calm breathing is one of the principal ways to live longer to accumulate and save energy.
Two last suggestions: firstly, don’t forget that the skin also breathes; and therefore, wear proper suits. Secondly, muscular movements have to conform themselves to the breath and not vice versa!
Prof. Dario Colombera
Via Trespole 68
35037 Teolo (Padua) Italy
Tel.: (Italy) 049 9925217
e-mail: bobombera@interfree.it