General Guidelines for Pranayam Practitioners

1. Have a designated sacred space for daily pranayam sessions.  This can be the same room you use for yoga and meditation.  The room should be clean and well ventilated with fresh air.   If you can’t have a separate room, you can allocate a portion of a room to your practice.
2. Pranayam should be done with full awareness.
3. Pranayam should not be done immediately following meals. Wait at least 2-3 hours. It should not be practiced when one is very hungry.
4. Overeating and fasting should be avoided.
5. The recommended time for pranayam is early morning as the fresh morning air is richer in prana or life force.
6. Make sure your clothing is comfortable.  It should not restrict your breathing.
7. The recommended posture is a seated position. Make sure to keep your spine straight and chin slightly tucked in.
8. Do not strain. Take breaks in between.
9. Do not practice when sick.
10. Practice with faith and sincerity.
11. Be consistent in your practice.
12. Kumbhaka or breath retention increases heat in the body and hence should be avoided by people who suffer from high blood pressure, cardiac issues, stroke, epilepsy etc.
13. Following the conclusion of your yoga and pranayam practice, wait for ~15-20 minutes before you consume any food and drink.
14. Avoid negative emotions of anger, jealousy, vanity, arrogance, cunningness, pride etc.  Avoid engaging yourself in heated discussions, debates, idle talk as this adversely affects the astral body and impedes spiritual progress.