After learning the tenets of yama (restraints) and niyama (observances), the first two limbs of Yoga from his elders, the child is ready to attend to the body and the mind. Patanjali puts forth very clearly the circumstances conducive to practising yoga - a small room in a solitary place protected from disturbances of all kinds, a country in which justice is properly administered, where good people live and food can be obtained easily and plentifully.

He also gives the grounds that interfere in the practise of yoga - over-eating, exertion, talkativeness, adhering to strict rules such as bathing in cold water in the morning and practising strict diets.

While, enthusiasm, courage, perseverance, correct understanding of the gurus instructions and determination are the qualities that encourage speedy learning.

Hatha yoga is called the science of purification - the body through asanas and the mind through pranayama.

The body is perceived as a temple and the practice the process of cleansing this house of God.

By the practice of asanas, the yogi makes the body a fit vehicle for the soul. Asanas correct the posture and makes it steady. Accurate constant practice brings ease and comfort in the physical body. All the systems of the body such as the circulatory, digestive, respiratory, excretory and lymphatic start to function more efficiently. As the toxins are flushed out the body feels rejuvenated and old stubborn symptoms amend as the very nature of the body is transformed.

Asanas follow the three basic natural human postures of sitting, standing and lying down. Due to habits learnt in childhood, lack of guidance as teenagers or perhaps constraints of workplace, one often develops a weak or incorrect posture leading to symptoms, such as hunchback, back ache, spinal injuries, and deformities to the limbs, feeble legs or chest. Idiosyncrasy in lifestyle leading to indigestion, heartburn, obesity, constipation or piles- the list is endless.

Asanas attempt to correct these debilitating ailments and bring relief to the practitioner by first identifying the problem, removing the pain if any, then strengthening the body part. The postures relieve unnatural tensions held in the body and bring balance and ease.

Every part of the body is worked, the muscles, the organs even the bones. Standing postures strengthen the legs, thigh, knees and spine; sitting postures expand the diaphragm freeing the lungs to breathe, brings suppleness to the back and spine, and works on the hip, knee, ankle and pelvic joints bringing elasticity to them. The spinal twists not only make the spine supple but also massage and squeeze the internal organs to improve circulation leading to efficiency in their functioning. The lying down asanas include forward and back bends, the inverted postures and the most favoured asana of students the 'savasana', the corpse pose.

The benefits are many, the lengthening of the spine regulates the nervous system, shoulder stands and headstands circulate the blood more freely to the upper organs by reversing the flow.

The practice of asanas leaves one invigorated, rejuvenated and free of stress. Balance and steadiness in the body then leads balance and steadiness in the mind.

Hamsacharya Jyotii Subramanian teaches the new life awakening techniques of Hamsa Yog and Babaji Kriya Yog in Chandigarh.