When should you not practice yoga?

Full moon and new moon are not suitable periods for yoga. The moon affects the water in the human body in a similar way to the effect on the tides. The days of the full and new moon are considered more suitable not for classes, but for maintaining a fast, understanding and pondering various things.

Things You Didn't Know About Yoga

And here are a few more interesting facts about yoga that will be a revelation for many:

Inverted poses can slow down the aging process. They counteract gravity and help internal organs return to their original position;

Ancient yogis believed that each person is allotted a certain number of inhalations and exhalations throughout life, so one must breathe slowly and deeply;

Ancient yogis believed that each person is given a certain number of inhalations and exhalations throughout their life, so they need to breathe slowly and deeply.

In the American army, yoga is used as morning exercise, and in Russia, elements of this teaching are used in the training of rescuers, submariners, and intelligence officers;

In Muslim countries, yoga is prohibited because it is considered harmful to their culture;

A person switches breathing from one nostril to the other every 2 hours. Hatha yoga uses asymmetrical breathing practices, and it is believed that breathing through the left nostril relaxes, and through the right nostril invigorates;

Science has proven that yoga can not only improve well-being, but also relieve stress and depression, make the mind sharper, which helps to make more informed decisions in various life situations;

At the end of each practice, it is recommended to take the corpse pose - Shavasana, which promotes complete relaxation, relieves fatigue, calms the mind, helps cells to recover and rejuvenate;

Yoga is not a religion, but rather a combination of physical exercise and philosophy aimed at self-improvement and self-realization;

Yoga classes require a competent approach. In the USA, there is a separate diagnosis - leg injuries received during practices. As a rule, these are tendon or nerve entrapments associated with prolonged stay in an unnatural pose;

Yoga is included in the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

No one undertakes to count the number of asanas in yoga. According to some data, their number exceeds 8.4 million, however, not all of them are accessible to humans. Yoga classes allow you to strengthen your muscles, get rid of extra pounds, improve your posture and the functioning of your internal organs. But you need to start classes under the guidance of an experienced instructor so as not to harm your own body.

What do yogis eat?

It is believed that the benefits of yoga depend not only on the regularity of classes and the correct technique for performing asanas, but also on lifestyle, such as nutrition. The healthiest option is a plant-based diet, regardless of age.

Many yogis have a negative attitude towards meat and fish. They believe that eating such products contradicts the principles of compassion and the laws of karma, and is in conflict with reincarnation. In addition, dead meat does not contain life force - prana, and yoga is created precisely to raise this life force.

Secrets of Hatha Yoga

One of the most ancient directions is considered to be hatha yoga. It has classical components: pranayama (breathing exercises), asanas (special poses), meditation. The peculiarity of this practice is the presence of special methods aimed at cleansing the internal organs. They are called shatkarmas - translated from Sanskrit "six actions:

Basti – tones the large intestine and promotes its cleansing;
Dhauti – ensures washing of the entire digestive tract;
Neti - has the same effect on the nasal passages;
Nauli or Laulik is a technique of massaging the abdomen to strengthen the abdominal organs;
Trataka – improving vision, developing attention;
Kapalabhati – techniques for cleansing the frontal lobe of the brain.
Hatha yoga is believed to help restore or maintain health, achieve a state of enlightenment, realize one's higher self, and awaken Kundalini, a special energy that is concentrated near the base of the spine.