THE BENEFITS AND THE DRAWBACKS
Astanga yoga is a
remarkable tool for enabling calm; it is an oasis in a hectic world. For those
devoted to this practice it provides a way to free the body of pent-up tensions
and release the mind from stress — ultimately, it is a good way to know your limits
and develop the strengths you need to cope in a modern urban environment.
The benefits of being an
Astanga yoga practitioner are undoubted, but it is important to know that this
style of yoga is a powerful tool that can have profound physical and emotional
effects. If you are doing it on top of your regular lifestyle rather than
instead of it, you may well get some unwelcome side effects (see page 25).This
is not a reason to give up the practice, hut some adjustment may be necessary.
- If you are already rushed of your feet and feeling stressed, Astanga yoga may
be a struggle to maintain and it may be worth trying a reduced practice (for
example, the short practice on pages 120—121). Alternatively, you can consider
changing your lifestyle.
they may be, however
simple or small. The traditional warnings to lead a saw.’ic (pure) life are not
out of place even, or perhaps especially, in our modern setting. You need to
eat and sleep well, and avoid the use of drugs and sthnulants. Dietary and
lifestyle changes need to take place gradually, and for most people they are
spontaneous — the more yoga you do, the more aware you are of your body’s
reaction to foods, drugs and chemicals.
