Introduction to Yogasanas

Many texts on Yoga including Patanjali describe 64 postures Asanas. It is very interesting to note that origin of yoga is form Lord Shiva. We believe according to the literature Shiva has performed 64X10000 Yogic Postures. So it is relally amazing to learn to what extent this science had been in our ancient culture.
All Asanas are to be done by having spread or mat or carpet on the floor. The reason being the gravitational force will not effect the benefit of the Asanas. Asanas are to be performed before taking food or two and half or three hours after food,except Vajrasan.
Before we start the regular Asanas it is only relevant to prepare the body with few postures, whcih are called preparatory asanas. It is to be noted as opposed to physical excersises , the active phase of the asanas are performed during expiration (breathing out) and to breath in as you come out of the asanas. While doing the asanas do no hold the breath.
Another inportant point to stress is one should be stable, comfortable and consistent in any asanas and to quote Patanajali here: Sukhe Sthire Asane (meaning one should be stable and comfortable while performing the asanas)
The place whwere Yoga is done should be calm,secluded,unpolluted and preferable close to nature either sea, riverbank or place with plenty of vegetation. As theese are not easily practicable at least in the house ,choose the best area suitable for this without being interfered by others.
Preliminary Prayers: Prior to start the yoga it is essential to start the effort by chanting Aum to settle downl peacefully for the effort.The ideal way of chanting is to split Aum into three syllables "aaa" , "Oh" and "im". "Aaah" starting from the nabhi ( deep into the abdomen which stimulates the base of the lungsby contracting its muscles), followd by " Oh" which is in relation to the lungs including the chest muscles also and ending with "Im" where the upper respiratory tacts comes into play and in the whole effort the respiratory potentials of the person is indirectly coming into play. It is also the routing to chant shloka of ganesha and bhajans related to that days allotted deity for example , Mondays: Shiva, Tuesday:Subramanya and Anjenya, Wednesday and Saturdays for Mahavishnu or Krishna, Thursday for Guru, Friday for devi and Sundays either Ganesha or Rama alternating weeks. The following are the prayers chanted daily before the Asanas. 1) Vinayaka Stuthi 2) Guru Stuthi 3) Following this the bhajans in praise of the day's particular deity as mentioned above are sung. 4) Subsequent to this Gayatri Mantram is chanted six times and repeated by all six times ( On the whole Tweleve times ). After completion of this "Aum" is to be chanted three times. 5) Guru Shisya Bhava: Om Saha naavavatu, Sahanam Phunakthu, Sahveeryam Karavaa Vahai, Tejasvinaa vaheeta mastu,Maa Vidvishaa Vahai, Aum Shanti Shanti Shantihi.
To elaborate on this is imminent for any pupil to understand the value of the teacher:In modern teaching methods people talk at length between interation amongst students and teachers and should not be one-way traffic.But most of the times " I talk and you listen " is the dictim followd. Large percentage of teachers would not like to be questioned by students though many times the students could be knowldgeable.But our ancient teachers in the Gurukula have been putting this into very effective practice as illustrated vividly in the above prayer.
May that protect us both the teacher and the pupil, May that cause both to enjoy the bliss of liberation . May we bot extent to find out the true meaninf of the scriptures and may our learining may brilliant and enlightining. May we never quarrel with each other or evvious of each other." In the routing Gurukala the teacher always sits in a clean ,open pollution free atmosphere with nature and the students in a semi circle around the teacher so that there is a very good interaction between the teacher and the taught. A wonderfula ancient custom and had been realised rather late by teachers in the current era. 5) At the end we offer our prayers by praying for the country , for the world entire, for the lost, living, suffering and also for anything in particular in the larger interest of humanity.