Who can practice yoga?
"All the ancient authors on Yoga are unanimous that everyone, be he young or old, of either sex, good health or not, is competent to practice Yoga, as far as it is aimed towards attainment of physical and mental benefits. There are as many asanas as there are living beings, says an ancient text. Thus, whatever be the state of the body, particular asanas and Yogic breathing exercises can be found and prescribed, by a competent Guru, wich will be of benefit to the individual. The practices are so comprehensive as to cater to everyone.
Systematic courses of Yoga, practices have been given in a number of books written by the ancient Rishis. These are the outcome of their rich experience. Similar practices are also found in books written by men of other religion.
Some ideas are prevalent that beginning of Yogic practices by the young may stunt their growth and hence these should be practiced only after the age of sixteen. It is the time that such erroneous notions are cleared. No such age has been prescribed in any of the ancient treatises and my experience has shown that there is not only no deleterious effect but on the other hand there is considerable benefit. The other types of physical exercises may makes for showy muscles, but as one should take into consideration also the fact that in the enthusiasm, parts of the body may be considerably strained and there may be no balanced development.
The great benefit which Yogic exercises give of mental development and poise will be that these practices were intended to be started at a fairly young age would be clear from the fact that Pranayamas form part of the daily Sandhya to be done after Upanayanam (sacred ceremony) and this Samskara (holy study) was prescribed at the age of seven.
In the young, habits of food restrictions are not observed, with the result that boys tend towards becoming fatty or by taking. of improper food and at irregular times tend to become subject to stomac upsets. Yogic exercises act as a corrective. Muscles may not be shows, but better health and balanced development of mind and body takes place.
There are quite a number of authoritative texts in Yoga and Ayurvedic treatises that prescribe Yogic practices for pregnant ladies, both in good health and for those who are not. My own experience shows that such a practice is of considerable benefit to the mother, the unborn child and the child when born. When Yogic practices can be undertaken even by ladies in a delicate condition, there need be no apprehension at all that Yogic practice harm the young.
The aim of the practice of the "Yoganga Sadhana" is to make use of the human body to contemplate on God -- the human body being properly toned and tuned by the "Sadhana". The first two steps in bringing the instrument under control are: YAMA and NIYAMA.
: Yama consists of five virtues:
1 - Ahimsa (non violence)
2 - Satyam (truthfulness)
3 - Astheya:
a / DHARMASTHANAM (non-performance of one's duties pertaining to one's caste, religion and place)
b / DHRAVIYASTHENAM (stealing of wealth).4 - BHRAMACHARYAM, control of the Indriyas -- Bahya (outer) and Rahasya (secret), and study of the Vedas.
5 - APARIGRAHA (non acceptance of gifts given in expiation of one's sins or to get over one's sickness. These five virtues give a positive hold to keep the mind in proper condition for practice of the YOGANGASADHANA..
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Om Shri Gurubio Namah !
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