Yoga & healthy mind

by Sunil A Parde
(Nashik - Indian)

I am 38 year old, I am intrested in doing regular yoga as it improves the mental strength & gives peace to mind at the same time build the strength in the body. However my body is not so flexible. Can you please suggest me how i should proceed ?

I am prepared to spare my one hour daily although I have very tight schedule.

Answer

Generally flexibility decreases with increase in age as well as due to sedentary lifestyle. With yoga practice you can halt further loss of flexibility and with determined practice your flexibility will improve. To avoid any injury do not stretch your body beyond your limits. You can proceed with a generalised yoga sequence as referred in the following webpage:
Yoga for inflexible people

2. Sequence of yoga practice can be as follows:
~ Warm up or 5-6 rounds of surya namaskar (sun salutations)
~ Standing Asanas
~ Supine Asanas
~ Prone Asanas
~ Sitting Asanas
~ Pranayama
~ Meditation
~ Rest in shavasana

3. For increasing flexibility
~ Reduce weight.
~ Take less food and preferably raw food, boiled vegetables.
~ Practice sitting in sukhasana or vajrasana whenever you have free time.
~ Massage the joints.
~ Your major aim should be to achieve flexibility to do padmasana. For this aim keep on practicing half padmasana, butterfly pose and other 'sukshma kriyas' or subtle exercises (Do as many repetitions as you can do, but stop if experiencing pain). Gradually you will see improvement.

4. If you have not done yoga earlier, it is recommended to seek guidance of a yoga teacher in person to get correct movement for the asanas.

Hope this helps.
Daljit