The elaborate rules about the preparation of food and the observance of correct diet, about personal behavior and environments which are recommended to be observed while practicing the asanas which are prescribed in Yogic literature are sure to prove confusing to a modern student of Yoga as it is not possible to observe and follow them in detail'.

Moreover they are chiefly meant for those who practice asanas for spiritual ends. All that one needs to bear in mind whilst practicing the asanas is moderation in every- thing that he may be accustomed to do and enjoy, be it physical, mental or moral; but it would be best to avoid and eschew completely from our daily life all those things which' may be grouped under vices.

The latter undermine the body which we are trying to build or by Yogic physical culture. As regards, food, about which many enquiries are being made" no particular food or any special dieting is necessary. Let it be vegetarian or mixed though meat is not essential. But it must be wholesome and easily digestible. It must be taken in just sufficient quantities to satisfy the pangs of hunger and not to overload the stomach. All alcoholic drinks should be completely given up and other stimulating drinks such as tea, coffee, etc.?

Should be avoided as far as possible. The expression "as far as possible" is advisedly used because in European countries they form a part of the daily diet of the majority of people. Again moderation in smoking should be observed very rigidly. Yogic exercises may be practiced at any time of the day but mornings are preferable as one is always fresh on rising and the stomach and intestines are empty. At any rate these exercises should not be undertaken on a loaded stomach. At least two hours should elapse after the last meal before the asanas are practiced.

Yogic physical exercises need no appliances either for developing the muscles or for concentrating the mind on the exercises. In Yogic Asanas the concentration of the mind is almost automatic. To achieve the final Yogic pose of an asana certain muscular movements have to be made which automatically fix the mind on them. Yogic Asanas are not gymnastic exercises, in which the trunk and the limbs are made to move rhythmically; but they" are special poses and their chief benefit lies in retaining them for a certain fixed time without discomfort. The longer the time of retention of a certain posture, the greater the benefit derived.

Without doubt Yogic exercises assure, a normal individual of this physical well-being; but they are also both curative and recuperative in action. They are excellent remedies against dyspepsia and chronic constipation, and correct a faulty action of the liver. Certain asana are well suited for increasing the metabolic activity of the body by increasing the secretions of the endocrine glands and are thus helpful in reducing fat-especially in the case of stout people^ They also tone up. the neuro-muscular tissues. As a recuperative measure, when health has been shattered after a long continued illness, these exercises will brace up the body quicker than any other system of physical culture. In fact, however weak physically a person may be, as long as he has no organic disease, he may start practicing asanas in order to gain energy and weight proportionate to his or her height by toning up the neuro-muscular structure of the body and stimulating the appetite. For him it is only a question of choosing a set of asanas and grading them according to their severity, their retention time and their successive repetition at one sitting. Age, sex and race are no bars against practicing Yogic exercises. It is better to commence the practice of asanas at an early age, at a time when the activity of youth and the suppleness of the muscles would help in achieving a perfect pose within the shortest time possible. Children above eight years of age should be allowed to practice some of the Asanas at least. Let the children first watch the elders going through them and they will ultimately start practicing the exercises themselves as a matter of fun. To their elders' surprise they will often acquire the perfect pose in a shorter time than the former may have taken and even retain it longer.