Creating the Ideal Yoga Environment By: Dr.

Adam Cohen, Tureya Ashram As human being in the modern era we live in a world with varying environments. Our houses, our cars, our work places, our gyms, the outdoors, and shopping malls form just a few examples of the many different environments we interact with on a daily basis. Relatively speaking this way of living is very contemporary making up only a fraction of a decimal percentage of the total chronology of human history. The remainder of humanity has basically lived in one environment for their entire lives as farmers or merchants (with the rare occasion of those who migrate or moved as traders) living in close contact with the natural environment that surrounded them. Although a modern human being may live in one place, those who are wealthy enough to do so (which is probably a majority of the readers) live in synthetic environment that are shaped by heating systems, closed rooms, air conditioning, and artificial lighting. While the outer environment is fairly consistent (altering with the changes of the natural seasons), the synthetic life usually involves an alteration to this natural ecosystem that surrounds it. Although it is not our intention here to discuss whether it is right or wrong to live such a life (although we will emphasize the value of nature) we will consider the potential disadvantages of these environments and the affects they have on the body and mind. The ancient yogis of India had critically examined the impact environments had on a spiritual practice and from this observation gave guidelines towards the most ideal atmosphere for spirituality. They outlined several important qualities: first the place should be clean with plenty of fresh air; next the climate should be cool enough to sustain a balanced mind and body; finally, solitude was usually critical because it meant that the practitioner had the added support for internalizing their practice because of the lack of external distractions Of course for a modern yogi fulfilling some if not all of these qualities is a trying task, but none the less we can see the value of these environmental mandates put forth by the yogis of yore according to our modern-day understanding of human physiology. Clean, fresh air is always preferred over polluted and uncirculated air. The reason for this is quite obvious: polluted air is unhealthy in any circumstance as it increases the risk of many diseases, especially those related to the respiratory system, but when we are physically active the amount of air taken in and out of the body usually increases which will lead to circulation of this toxic air in and out of the body. Uncirculated air is also unhealthy (this included our everyday closed rooms without any flow of fresh air) as this type of air usually contains high amounts of micro-particles like dust, mold, and other airborne objects which can be hazardous to health. In addition to this, if one precedes with a physical exercise (like the yogasanas) in a

room that is unventilated biological process like respiration and perspiration can alter the environment in a potentially negative way. Therefore the ancient and modern yogis typically suggest practicing the yogasanas outside the If the climate is not hot or cold. For many this means practicing outside in the morning or evenings is ideal. For others who do not have access to a modern, outdoor climate than a well ventilated and clean atmosphere will enhance the quality of their yogasana practice. An environment with a cool and temperate climate is arguably one of the more important qualities of the environment in which one is practicing the yogasanas because of the affect that it has upon the body and mind. We will be exploring this topic more extensively because of the role that is plays within the contemporary practice of yoga. The human bodys thermodynamic system is responsible for controlling the temperatures throughout the body. It is constantly taking efforts to reach homeostasis in a process known as homeothermic. Through this system the body attempts to acclimatize itself to the environment so that the core body temperature can stay relatively consistent despite the environments stress upon this equilibrium. All physiological and biochemical processes within the body are dependent upon a homeostatic temperature within the body, and when temperatures fall or exceed beyond this state parts of the body may suffer from injury, system failure and even death. Therefore it is essential that when we practice the yogasanas an environment is selected that is most conducive to our thermal system. One very commonly practiced yet abusive form of yogasanas is that in the form of practicing within overly heated environments. As nutritional experts K. Birch, D. MacLaren, and K. George state in their book Sport & Exercise Physiology: Humans are homeothermic and are constantly exchanging (normally losing) heat to the environment. Consequently humans have to be thermogenic (i.e.) they have to generate heat) normally via metabolism. However, the imposition of exercise on a human in a hot and humid environment is a stressful and potentially dangerousexercise in a hot and humid environment is, therefore, replete with examples of poor performance, heat stroke and death. By practicing the yogasanas in a hot environment (above 25 C) the body will redirect heat that would otherwise be used by the muscles to the skin in order to increase the sweat rate (the amount of seat released through the skin in order to cool the body). In the case of overly humid or heated environment the sweat is unable to fulfill its role of cooling the body which leads to fatigue, heat exhaustion, and the heightened potential for a heat stroke. In addition to this excessive sweating can lead to the imbalance of electrolytes within the body which are critical for the metabolic functions and the use of nutrients within the body. This is detrimental considering that one of the things the body needs most during physical activity is healthy

metabolic functions. Although acclimatization may occur over extended exposures to a heated environment there are no obvious benefits aside from the fact that the body is now able to be aerobic in a hot environment (which may be appropriate for serious athletes). In contrast a cold climate can also have potentially negative affects upon the body, but this is usually much easier to moderate (by layering clothing) and only applies to extreme temperatures below 5-10 Degrees Celsius. Unlike hot and humid climates where the body has difficulty reducing core temperature (especially during strenuous physical activity), within a cold environment the body utilizes the cardiac/circulatory system, metabolic system, and respiration to heat the body. Only in extreme environments where the body cannot be protected from the cold are the disadvantages of the environment astutely noticed including increase potential for hypothermia. But typically cold climates are much easier to regulate than hot environment, especially in relationship to a yogasanas practice. In selecting an ideal climate for their yogasana practice focus should be given towards selecting the best time of the day and location for their practice. Time is an obvious factor since typically as the sun rises temperatures also increase which means that in hot climates mid-day will be too hot where as in colder climates mid-day may be the warmest and most ideal time for the practice. Location should be selected according to things like exposure to sunlight (the sun emits vitamin D, an essential nutrient for the body), room temperature, and humidity levels. If the practitioner has little choice in the environment for their practice, modifying what is available to them in order to make the room supportive of the yogasanas is considered to be adventitious, even if it just means open a window and turning on a fan to circulate cool, clean air. The next major quality of an ideal environment for the yogasanas is that of solitude. In yoga we often employ the technique of pratyahara (sensory withdrawal) which is the involution of our awareness from the outer world to the inner. For most, pratyahara is most easily accessed when the external distractions are minimal. While ultimately the internalization of the practice should be able to occur in any environment, selecting a place of peace and privacy for the yogasanas in the beginning of our mental training of the practice will provide the practitioner with greater opportunities to tune into their inner-self. Once they are able to easily detach their awareness from the outer world and attach it to their spiritual experience than solitude may not be necessary, but for most of us we have much to gain from a little peace and quiet. Less external activity means fewer distractions for the mind which can then be directed towards concentration. The perfect environment for a yogasanas likely does not exist; instead we have places which are more supportive and less supportive of the physical and psychological needs of the inner-self. As most people may already know, India is notorious for it generally hot and humid ecosystems.

A majority of the geography of the Indian territory is open plains. Yet within this region of Asia is a wide range of environments, from some of the tallest mountains in the world (the Himalayas) to densely packed tropical rainforests. Traditionally, migration through India and its surrounding regions was fairly easy and therefore spiritual practitioners of the past would journey throughout the country in search of the most ideal climate for their spiritual practices. Many groups developed that settled within different regions of India including along the ocean shores, the holy rivers, and the temperate plains, but the most popular place of refuge was in the mountains. Today the ruminants of this attraction towards mountainous regions have not changed, and some of the most popular locations for ashrams are within elevations above 1,000 Meters. The benefits of mountainous environments at lower elevations are many as these regions tend to have temperate climates, consistent seasons and well circulate air (as long as the location is removed from a major city). While it is often unpractical for a modern-day human being to pick up a move to the mountains just for the sake of having an ideal environment for their spirituality, it is valuable to considered the benefits of the mountains for such events as spiritual retreats, inner reflection, and natural connection. Also, there are many ecosystems throughout the world in which one can find a balanced environment most conducive to their spirituality. In circumstances the personality of the individual may select the environment they choose; for instance some people love the rainy skies of London or Portland why others crave the sunshine of Queensland or Denver. What matter most is that the person feels comfortable and happy within the environment they have selected. Once settled they should work toward shaping their spiritual practice around the world that surrounds them as opposed to being lazy and compromising with whatever is most convenient. Sometime the location we choose for our practice can, as they say, make or break the experience of the yogasanas. But ultimately what matters most is that we practice, plain and simple, but if you have the liberty and freedom to choose your environment than it is highly recommended that you find a time and place most suitable for the creation of your yogasana practice because the benefits of doing so will be significant enough to notice drastic differences within the quality of your practice.