| The ancient sages in India who developed yoga | | | | today is nowhere closer to what it was some 5000 |
| devised two things, one is prakrti and the other is vikrti. | | | | years before. In this concrete jungle all that we can do |
| Many things that were applicable before 5000 years | | | | is to create an ambiance that could give us physical |
| are not relevant these days, so that is what vikrti is | | | | and mental stability. |
| about, they evolve. These set of rules that fall under | | | | So the concept of Vikrti comes here, we can |
| vikrti evolves, they are modified according to the time | | | | improvise and bring the ambiance close to ideal one, |
| of application. Whereas Prakrti rituals conform to the | | | | by practicing yoga in the early morning, when the |
| moment they evolved, they remain eternal which | | | | decibel level will be less and the air will be fresh. By |
| should not be changed. | | | | using a proper yoga mat and a substrate we can |
| In Yoga, this concept of Prakrti and Vikrti is practiced till | | | | compensate the other requirement as well. It is not |
| date, not by yoga trainers who get a certificate and do | | | | good to do yoga over your carpet. It is always |
| business with this great ancient science, but by those | | | | preferable to have a cement/stone structure above |
| who have dedicated their lives for yoga and who don't | | | | which a yoga mattress could be spread. |
| operate for profit. One thing that has remained | | | | While selecting a yoga mattress, lot of care should be |
| unchanged throughout the evolution of yoga is the | | | | given. The yoga mattress should not be very smooth |
| concept of 'stability'. | | | | and slippery. Always go for 100% cotton (preferably |
| Yoga requires (and in return gives) mental and physical | | | | organic cotton). The weave should not be plain and |
| stability. Physical stability is very important, and that | | | | simple; it should be a bit rugged and firm. The yoga |
| was why the ancient sages used a raised flat bed of | | | | mattress should not be very narrow; the mat should |
| rock upon which they spread a rugged cotton fabric, | | | | have a width of 4 ft, so that you can practice wide |
| they developed such structure in their garden. This | | | | variety of asanas. |
| gave them physical stability as well as mental peace. | | | | Note: It is advised to have only sattvic food during your |
| The Ancient seal in Mohenjadaro, (the seal of | | | | practice of yoga. It is also important to have proper |
| Pasupathy) too depicts this. While it will be always | | | | sleep (avoid lot of cushion) and try to wake up early |
| important to have the stability, it is impractical to create | | | | and practice the asanas, this will directly help with your |
| such a structure in everyone's garden. The population | | | | weight loss. |