Dear Friends,
Namaste!
As promised, we will explore the second sub-question around the “when” part of our Yogic practice, viz., “at what time of the day should we practise Yoga?”
The answer is really quite plain and simple. “With every breath we take!” Yoga practice is not something we are supposed to do for half an hour three times a week. We should be practising Yoga in some form or the other every step of the way in our life’s journey!
Take limbs of Ashtanga Yoga for example. “Yama” (values) have to be practised at all times. “Niyama” (observances) tell us to be disciplined throughout the day. “Asana” is defined as “Sthir Sukham Asanam” (any posture that is steady and comfortable). Is there any moment we do not wish to be steady and comfortable? Not a chance! “Pranayama” is all about regulating life-force governing our life through breath control. When should we allow our breathing to be irregular? Of course, never! “Pratyahar” behoves us to keep our senses under control no matter what the external (or even internal) provocation – at all times. These five are but just the “Bahir-Anga” (externally focused limbs) of Ashtanga Yoga.
Same applies to the three “Antar-Anga” (internally focused limbs) of Ashtanga Yoga. “Dharana” teaches us concentration. Do we want our concentration to waver ever? Of course not! “Dhyan” (meditation) is all about holding our (concentrated) attention at the same point for a period of relevant time. We know we are effective when we perform all our activities in a meditative, fully absorbed manner. Finally, “Samadhi” (perfect bliss attained effortlessly through maturing of meditation) is being in the “zone”. We enjoy ourselves the maximum when we are in the “zone” and instinctively are striving all the time to be in the “zone” all the time!
Let’s examine the main Yoga types. “Gyan Yoga” tells us to have an incessant quest for Knowledge about the Absolute Truth. We should keep learning and discovering the truth in everything that we do, from everything that we do. “Bhakti Yoga” teaches us humility towards this truth, the whole universe and our fellow beings at all times. “KarmaYoga” is the Yoga of right action of the right person for the right cause in the right place at the right time by the right person. Do we plan for right actions just for half an hour three times every week? No. We want to think right, speak right and act right throughout our lives! We want to be practising “Karma Yoga” for every second available to us!!
To summarize, as we have seen earlier, Yoga is a way of life! It is not just a practice. It is not just about pretzel positions and acrobatics. It is not just about non-violence or such nice-sounding words. It has little to do with religions. It is not about just breathing in a certain way. It is not just about reducing stress and grief. It is not about wearing orange robes, growing a beard and heading off to Himalayas to escape from life.
Yoga is all about life. It is about embracing life. It is about living life fully and enriching others’ lives as well. It is about integrating our “self” with our environment. It is about becoming one with the entire universe so we forget our limited “self”. It is about realizing our limitlessness, our full potential. It is about making the most of this glorious opportunity called “life” bestowed on us.
There is no bar to its practice. All “living” human beings qualify! And as we have seen in this discussion so far, they should be practising Yoga all the time...
Whilst all of this is true, it still leaves a more specific question unanswered – “at what time of the day should we practise only Yoga that is part of our daily “Swadhyaay” (self-study), part of our “Tapas” (incessant effort)?” Where the sole intent of the activity is nothing but to practise and excel in all aspects of Yoga. Where activities consist of assuming specific Yoga postures such as in Sun Salutations and Power Yoga. Where breathing consists of advanced breathing techniques such as Ujjayi. Where, instead of doing actions meditatively, meditation becomes the only action. Where the ‘machine’ (read ‘our persona’) is getting overhauled rather than being engaged in production of useful goods.
Should we do Yoga in the morning? But it feels so stiff! Should we do Yoga in the evening? But our mind has become oh-so-fragile after the battering it received throughout the day! Is it okay to do Yoga in the afternoon? Do we perform Yoga before the sun rises or after? Before it sets or after? And why? What’s the logic, if any, behind doing Yoga practise at particular times?
Let’s find out next week.
Till then...
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