Conditions for yoga practice

"One who observes brahmacharya, eats sattvic food in moderation, practices regularly and persists in yoga, renounces attachment to sense gratification, he attains siddhi after one year."
Hatha Yoga Pradipika (1.57)
A yogi who renounces sensual pleasures, observes food restrictions, regularly performs sadhana, practices in short-term and long-term retreats, regularly communicates with saints, monks, hermits, avoids unnecessary distractions for samsaric worries - he quickly achieves perfection if he does not have serious obstacles ...
Taming the Three Dragons
A yogi who wants to achieve success must subdue and pacify the "three dragons":
~ sexual desire,
~ attachment to food,
~ long sleep.
Unable to pacify the "three dragons" cannot hope to succeed.
Sexual desire is pacified when the yogi masters mula bandha and vajroli mudra, and the knots in the channels of the svadhisthana chakra are untied so that the wind does not stagnate in the pelvic area, but rises up the sushumna to the crown and descends down the front channel.
The attachment to food leaves the yogi when the navel chakra is cleared and the fire element is brought under control.
The desire to sleep a lot is pacified when the channels are cleared of excess mucus by Kriya yoga, asanas, mudras and pranayamas, and the energy is awakened, circulates through the channels and saturates the chakras in the eyebrows and in the crown.
Diet and lifestyle
“A great yogi should observe the following prescriptions: use refined butter, milk, sweets, camphor, speak kind words, have a secluded room, listen to speeches about the truth, do his household duties without attachment to them, chant the name of Vishnu, listen to music that uplifts the soul, be patient, constant, all-forgiving, strict with oneself, perform purification procedures, be moderate and serve the Guru. "
Shiva Samhita (3.35)
The yogi should eat sattvic food: milk, rice, cheese, cream, butter, green peas, boiled vegetables, pomegranates, oranges, grapes, apples, bananas, dates, honey.
Eating
The Shiva Samhita says that food should be taken twice a day: at noon and in the evening. During the performance of any practices of pranayamas and asanas, there should be no food in the stomach, it should be empty, and after completing them, you should not eat food for at least half an hour.
As the yogi develops spiritually, he can reduce the volume and weight of food consumed, gradually replacing it with pranayamas and other methods of filling the subtle and physical bodies with prana. When a yogi knows how to absorb prana with his eyes, skin pores, body surface and consciousness itself, as well as with the respiratory organs, he can assimilate pure prana, which gives strong ojas, without using the functions of the physical body and without clogging it.
What should not be consumed
"When starting yoga, avoid everything bitter, spicy, sour, salty and fried, as well as sour milk, diluted whey, dense vegetables, alcoholic beverages, wine palm nuts and overripe breadfruit."
Gheranda Samhita (5.23)
Do not eat sour, hot, spicy, salty, bitter foods, mustard, chili sauce, sour cottage cheese, meat, eggs, fish, garlic, onions, stale food, alcohol, overripe and unripe fruits.
Cold foods and drinks should be avoided as they keep prana in the lower chakras and prevent it from rising and circulating. You should also avoid spicy foods, very hot, sour, salty, because this causes a disorderly excitement of prana and does not allow it to rise up.
Limitations in Pranayama
“Pranayama should not be practiced either after eating or on an empty stomach. Before class, you need to eat some milk and butter.
One who is well established in his practice does not need these restrictions. Let the sadhaka (yoga practitioner) eat a small amount [food] at a time and practice pranayama daily at a specific time. "
Shiva Samhita (3.37 - 3.3
When a yogi performs pranayama intensively, his desire to eat can increase, because the fire element flares up and the manipura chakra works harder than usual. At this time, the yogi should eat a little or drink warm milk and butter to "pacify" the inner fire. A yogi who begins to awaken the Kundalini should never consume cold food and drinks.
Sleep times and positions
Daytime sleep for a yogi, if he is not sick, is not allowed, as this leads to clogging of the channels. Sleeping on your back prevents the free flow of prana through the ida and pingala channels, increasing the wind. Sleeping in a prone position unbalances the three constitutions.
The yogi can sleep on the left or right side, depending on the practice. Sleep on the right side overlaps the gross karmic prana in pingala nadi, making it possible to see dreams of clarity. This position is used for dream yoga.
If the yogi sleeps with his head to the north, then the influence of the north pole impairs blood circulation in the peripheral blood vessels, and the connection between the astral and physical bodies is weakened. The position of the head to the east promotes lucid sleep and meditation, the head to the south - promotes deep sleep, when the yogi can physically rest. Positioning the head to the west enhances the vividness and dynamics of dreams.

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