Yoga sharpens mental abilities, including alertness, concentration, and memory. It can also change thinking styles. Certain traits, patterns of thinking, and learning preferences are associated with yogis, according to research. Yoga delivers a potent range of mental and physical benefits that make it a nearly ideal exercise. Practiced regularly, yoga increases flexibility, expands lung capacity, reduces stress, builds physical strength and enhances mental clarity and focus. You can get even more of these benefits from yoga when you practice it in sync with time.
Brahma muhurta is a period of two muhurtas, or about one and a half hours before dawn. In the Vedic tradition this period is considered as the ideal time for spiritual practices like prayer and meditation. Waking up during brahma muhurta also has many health benefits. The very first verse written in any Ayurvedic textbook while explaining about the daily regimen to be followed for health and long life is about the importance of brahma muhurta. In the Ashtanga Hridayam its written “brahma muhurtam uttishthet swastho rakshartham Ayusha:tatra sarvartha shantyartham smareccha madhusudanam”. The line translates as: ‘One should wake up in the brahma muhurta for sustaining perfect health and for achieving a long life span, as desired.‘
At brahmamuhurta, a high level of prana (vital life energy) which is necessary for the body is adequately present in the atmosphere. The pollution is at its minimum. The cheerful atmosphere has a considerable effect on the body and mind. In Sanskrit, the daily routine is called as Dinacharya. ‘Dina’ means ‘day’ and ‘acharya’ means ‘to follow’ or ‘close to’. So, Dinacharya is an ideal daily schedule taking into account the nature’s cycle.
About an hour and a half before the sunrise, a great shift in energy fills space. Hope, inspiration and peace manifest at this time. This time is considered best for attaining brahma gnana, supreme knowledge and eternal happiness. At this time, the environment is pure and calm and soothing and the mind is fresh after sleep. This is the best time to start your day with Yoga.
- When it comes to adopting a yoga practice, the phrase, “to each his own” resonates the most. There is no period of the day that would suit everyone equally however, it’s best to follow the rule of “no distraction”.
- Choose to practice at a time when you are least likely to be interrupted, whether it be early morning or late at night. Do not practice if already feeling sleepy or fatigued; the most benefits are yielded when fully conscious of each movement.
- Like any exercise, wait at least two hours after eating before practicing yoga to avoid indigestion and gastrointestinal discomfort.
- Consistency is the key in yoga practice, even more than the time you choose to practice it. The more regularly you practice, the more you will notice the changes produced within your body and your life. Over time you will be able to move more deeply into poses that are difficult when first beginning. This takes disciplined practice to discover. If possible, make new discoveries about your practice and yourself by joining a class, as yoga is ultimately about spiritual connection with others.
