Preparation for yoga and pranayama

It is very vital to follow these guidelines before starting pranayama breathing exercises every day to get maximum benefits from the same. Select clean, airy place in your house and sit on cotton or woolen cloth , which should be non conductor of electricity. You must always sit facing East while doing this exercise. Pranayama must always be done with totally empty stomach, after around 4 hours of any meal. Early mornings and evenings are the best times to do pranayama. You must perform your daily ritual of cleaning, brushing the teeth, bowel functions etc. prior to pranayama. Sit in lotus position keeping your both hands on your knees. Close your eyes and start breathing,deep and slow, through your nose keeping your mouth fully shut, concentrating on the entire passage of the air that is breathed in till it is exhaled. Nasal respiration ensures filteration of the air taken in and keeps the body temprature of both left and right side even.

Keep your mind cool and composed. Perform pranayama initially for only 5 to 10 minutes per day and increase the timing gradually. You must aim for doing pranayama for about 45 minutes maximum per day within a time period of around 2 to 3 months. The time interval also depends on the season. You must do pranayama less intensively in summer and opposite to this in winter. if you feel tired while doing pranayama, rest inbetween for couple of minutes, taking deep and slow breathing. It is not advisable to do pranayama when you are sick, pregnant, or having fever. It is better to chant any religious mantra of your choice while doing it. Concentrate fully on pranayama and try to avoid phones, massages etc. while doing it. You shall be able to derive benefits to the maximium, if this guideline is followed. Now, you are ready to begin the first type of pranayama exercise. Please keep on visiting this spot in order to maintain continuity of this pranayama programe.