Lesson 147 - Q&A – Sequencing of asanas, pranayama and meditation

From: Yogani
Date: Mon Mar 22, 2004 4:31pm

New Members: It is recommended you read from the beginning of the web
archive, as previous lessons are prerequisite to this one. The first
lesson is, "Why This Discussion?"

Q: I combine some other strengthening exercises like push ups,
squats, etc. along with yoga. Some of these exercises consume lots of
energy. So, when I follow this with pranayama & meditation, I feel
the 'freshness' of the meditation is reduced due to the other
activities. So, is it alright if I first do the meditation and then
do the Yoga/Exercises and then pranayama? I would like your
suggestion to resolve this problem. Thanks a lot for the continued
guidance.

A: Thank you for writing and sharing.

As you have figured out, exercise is best done after meditation, not
right before. With meditation, we are systematically bringing the
mind and body to stillness. This stillness is a primary source of all
spiritual progress.

Asanas and pranayama are part of this process of going to stillness.
With easy bending and stretching we begin to quiet the nerves, and
prepare the spinal nerve for pranayama. With pranayama, we further
quiet our entire nervous system and cultivate it in a way that
prepares it for deep meditation. That is the traditional sequence for
best results in a routine of practices -- asanas, pranayama, and
meditation. And it really does work.

I suggest you consider doing the easy bending and stretching portion
of your asanas at the beginning, then do pranayama, and then
meditation, so you can get the full benefit of the above-mentioned
sequence. After meditation and adequate rest coming out, then it is a
good time to do more vigorous physical exercise.

So, first we do those things in the best order to take us in to pure
bliss consciousness, and then we come out refreshed and ready to be
active in the world. Vigorous activity after meditation is not a
problem once we have taken time to come completely out. Activity
helps stabilize the bliss and ecstasy in our nervous system. That is
how we transform to become the walking enlightened, instead of the
walking whatever we were before.

The guru is in you.

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