Frequently Asked Questions

Q1) Can yoga practices be learnt through reading books?

A1) They can be understood by reading books but to practice them correctly is very important, so its better to practice them initially under the guidance of an instructor.

Q2) What is the best time to practice yoga?

A2) Early morning is said to be the best time to practice yoga. But anytime on an empty stomach is fine. Earl morning is the best time for pranayam and to practice asanas in the evening is good because the body is more loose and relaxed after the whole day’s movements.

Q3) Can ladies practice pranayam?

A3) Yes, most definitely.

Q4) Is it necessary to have a bath before yoga?

A4) It is not compulsory but having a bath with warm water will ease out the body and mind to practice asanas.

Q5) Is it necessary to practice asanas to its final stage?

A5) Every individual is different. One should practice asanas and pranayams as per your own capabilities and limit keeping in mind the purpose of the asanas one can simplify it as per your own requirements. But the basics remain unaltered.

Q6) Can we preserve health through pranayama alone?

A6) As per the ancient text ‘hathyoga pradipika’. Practising pranayam in correct manner will keep all the diseases away but a wrong practice may lead to diseases. So one has to be careful while practicing pranayams. Pranayams should be combined with asanas and kriyas.

Q7) For how long should yoga be practiced daily?

A7) Half a hour to an hour is sufficient. Suryanamaskar hardly takes 10-20 minutes.

Q8) For how long should yoga be practiced to get the results?

A8) Again every person is different and the results differ from person to person. Its better to practice till you find results. After that keep continuing because your body is a machine and requires regular overhaul.

Q9) What happens if you stop practicing or take a gap in between?

A9) Yoga is a slow and subtle process. It takes time to show results but the reverse process is also very slow so after a gap one can recollect fast.

Q10) How does yoga differ from other means of exercises?

A10) Firstly yoga is meant for relaxation. It involves the mind and has a holistic approach.

Q11) Can elderly people practice yoga?

A11) Yoga practices can be altered according to the age, personal requirements and limitations. It has been said in “hathyoga pradipica” that the young, old and oldest, ill or weak anybody can practice yoga.

Q12) Can other means of exercises be practices along with yoga?

A12) Certainly there is no restriction. But exercise before relaxation or ‘shavasana’

Q13) How does yoga help atheletes and body-builders or weight-lifters?

A13) By regular practice of yoga one develops a fine control on all muscles and body activities, improvement in breathing capacity and muscle toning which are all important factors for atheletes and weight lifters.

Q14) Can ladies practice yoga during menstruation?

A14) Menstruation is a natural process. It is nowhere mentioned even in old texts that one should not practice yoga during menstruation. It solely depends on the individual. If there is a lot of discomfort one can practice primary asanas and pranayam.

Q15) Can it be practiced during pregnancy?

A15) Yoga should be practiced during pregnancy under the guidance of an expert. It can help maintain good health & help ease labour to a certain extent.

Q16) How does yoga help in post-natal care?

A16) Yoga is helpful in normalizing the systems after child-birth and establishes muscle tone. Helps improve lactation and brings the body back to shape.

Q17) Is it compulsory to be vegetarian to practice yoga?

A17) It is not mentioned anywhere in the old text as to what one should eat. It only describes the properties of food one should eat. But to benefit from the spiritual aspects of yoga it will be effective to be vegetarian.

Q18) How much time after food should one practice yoga? After doing yoga, what is the time-gap before one can eat?

A18) Yoga should be practices on an empty stomach. 4-5 hours after meals should be ideal. One can have food after half an hour of doing yoga.

Q19) Can yoga be practiced during illness?

A19) If you are suffering from any illness do yoga under expert guidance and according to you capabilities.

Q20) How does yoga help in treating chronic/acute diseases?

A20) Particular asanas and shuddhi kriyas help in treating acute and chronic diseases. But in acute conditions, one should practice under medical guidance.

Q21)How does yoga help in overcoming menopausal symptoms?

A21) Lots of hormonal changes take place during menopause. As yoga has excellent benefits for the endocrine system, it is very effective I menopausal symptoms.

Q22) Does yoga helping increasing height?

A22) Yes, yoga does help in increasing height in growing years. As it balances the hormonal secretions and stimulates the endocrine system certain asanas like tadasana, sarvangasan do help in increasing height.

Q23) Does yoga help in obesity management?

A23) Along with proper diet and practices like suryanamaskar certainly help in weight loss particularly if the roots are psychosomatic.

Q24) Can children practice yoga?

A24) Yes children can practise yoga under the guidance of an expert. Above 7 years it is more suitable in increasing concentration, height, avoid obesity in young age.

Q25) How does yoga help in detoxification process?

A25) Yoga is a 8-fold path towards the highest bliss. It ensures physical as well as mental health. The physical health is detoxification. Many shudhi kriyas help in this. The effects are immediate. Along with yogic practices, kriyas help in detoxification.

Q26) How can one achieve stress management through yoga?

A26) Stress is related to your mind and the main aim of yoga is to get control of your mind. Pranayam and relaxing asanas help in stress management.

Q27) How does yoga help in treating psychological disorders or mentally disabled persons?

A27) Yoga helps to control the mind. It works well on the endocrine system which is also responsible for mental balance. One can treat many psychological disorders through yoga. It helps in controlling hyperactivity and developing motor skills in mentally disabled persons.

Q28) What is the importance of shudhi kriya in yoga?

A28) Shudhi kriya is the basis of yogic practices. They prepare your body by detoxification for further yogic practices. The effect is immediate and they boost the effects of yogic practices. They act as preventive as well as curative measure on certain physical disabilities as well.

Q29) What are shatchakras?

A29) As per yogic sciences they are energy centres in the body which are responsible for the day-to-day physical and mental activities, But you can really co-relate them with your endocrine system and the nerve plexus in the body which regulate all functions of the body and mind. Thus meditating or shatchakras improves the awareness of yourself.

Q30) What is Samadhi?

A30) It is very difficult to describe the state of samdhi as it is a totally personal experience. It is a state where all awareness gets absorbed to the almighty power. One can achieve it through sadhana but it may take several births. One can experience similar state of mind through dharna dhyan or in normal life one can experience it when one enjoys good music, your favorite hobbies or any calm and natural beauty.

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