It is important to know what an ideal system of physical culture should be, so that you will
be able to judge for yourself the value of Yoga-Asanas in the light of the ideal. That system can be
safely said to be an ideal system which requires the smallest amount of energy to be spent in order to
secure the greatest amount of benefit; which can effect a maximum increase in the vital index;
which can build up a healthy nervous system; which can ensure health for the excretory organs of
the body; which can take care of the circulatory system; and which can also develop the muscular
system. Let us now see how far these few conditions are fulfilled by Yoga-Asanas.
Let me now prescribe a short but complete course of Yoga-Asanas which is more than
sufficient for an average man (or woman) of health not only to maintain a high standard of health
but also to achieve true success in Yoga. Yogic physical culture is only a means to an end, and not
an end in itself. You need not, therefore, attach undue importance to this branch of Yoga alone to
the gross neglect of the others. All the Asanas mentioned and illustrated in this book can be
successfully practiced without the personal contact of a teacher. Thousands are benefited in various
ways by regularly practising these Asanas. The various exercises given in this book have been so
arranged that strict adherence is expected of you. All Asanas should be done invariably in the
morning, and not in the evening as you will find in some books on the subject. The reason for this
emphasis is that in the evening everybody is tired of a day’s work and as such will not be able to do
the various exercises with a feeling of exhilaration and freshness which he or she would otherwise
feel in the morning. There should absolutely be no feeling of depression or fatigue either before or
during the performance of these exercises. This is an important point to remember, if you wish to
enjoy the benefits of these exercises in the fullest measure. You need not go through the whole
course everyday. but you must by all means be regular and systematic in the very little that you do,
and be amaster of all the exercises given in this book. Another point to remember is that the amount
of energy expended in these exercises should on no account strain your system. Those of you who
wish to do muscular exercises may do so in the evening. All Yoga-Asanas must be done on an empty stomach; but there is no harm if a small cup of milk, light tea or coffee is taken before
commencing the exercises.
From – SRI SWAMI SIVANANDA
