It is a natural question to ask whether you should do your mantra meditation practice before or after your asana yoga practice  We want to work to try and make use of our practices and energy to the best possible effect, so what to do?

There are two schools of thought to this question.

Mantra meditation is best done before the asana practice according to the first school of thought.  The reasons for this are many.  It is like there is a gradual change of energy.  From subtle to physical.  You are preparing the body for more physical meditation.

The body is better prepared to start asana practice after the mind has already been stilled by the mantra meditation practice.

On the flip side to this is the second school.  The second school believes in the reverse.  That mantra meditation practice is best done after the asana practice.  The theory for this is pretty much the reverse.

The second school believes that the mind and body are better prepared for a mantra practice after an asana practice.  They work on going from physical to more subtle forms of energy.  After the asana practice has been worked through the body, the mind is calmer and concentrated and thus is better prepared for mantra meditation.

Which school of thought is correct and should one follow?

I believe it is best for the individual to decide.  A good decision can be made after you have tried out both versions.

Observe the effects immediately afterwards, the effects on each practice and how your energy is maintained throughout the day.  Observe the effects of both types of practices.

Perhaps both versions of practice will have a different effect and thus each practice has a different purpose.  Once you know what the effect is you can extract that effect by doing the practice you need.

Experiment, observe and see which works best for you to obtain the maximum results from your mantra meditation practice.

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