page_title: Ananda Marga
section_title: Vegetarian diet, yogic asanas, physical exercises and yogic treatments
hierarchical_section_title: Ananda Marga / Disciplines, Teachings and Practice / Vegetarian diet, yogic asanas, physical exercises and yogic treatments
caption_attribution_description: Yoga postures sarvangasana
context_page_description: Ánanda Márga "The Path of Bliss", also spelled Anand Marg and Ananda Marg or officially Ánanda Márga Pracáraka Saḿgha, is a world-wide socio-spiritual organisation and movement founded in Jamalpur, Bihar, India in 1955 by Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar. It is also the name of the philosophy and life-style propounded by Sarkar, described as a practical philosophy for personal development and the all-around transformation of the society. It is established in more than 180 countries across the world.
context_section_description: The basic practices of Ananda Marga consist of yoga asanas, mudras, bandhas, pranayama, self-massage and two specific dances, kaos'ikii and tandava. Lacto-vegetarian diet and fasting are also included, as a fundamental part of yogic practice.
  Diet and fasting: Lacto-vegetarian diet of Ananda Marga avoids meat, fish, eggs and some substances which are claimed to have a negative effect on the mind, particularly if "mucus-producing."  Moreover, on specific monthly dates called Ekadashi (Sanskrit: একাদশী, ekādaśī: is the eleventh day after the full moon or after the new moon), the regular practice of Upavasa (yoga fasting) is recommended to improve health and strengthen the mind.
  Yoga asanas, mudras and bandhas: comprises 42 asanas which were chosen by Sarkar.  There are mainly two types of asana: svasthyasanas and dhyanasanas.  They should be performed at least once a day.  15 Yoga mudras and bandhas are also part of the basic Ananda Marga yoga.
  Yogic treatments: in 1957 Sarkar published in Bengali Yaogika Cikitsa o Dravyaguna, which was translated into English and published in 1983, with revisions under the title Yogic Treatments and Natural Remedies. In this handbook, he gave indications on yogic treatments using ásanas and mudrás combined with claims about natural and traditional remedies for about forty diseases.  The book also contains many tips for maintaining good health through the use of water, clay, etc.
  Kaoshikii: the 'dance for mental expansion', was defined by Sarkar a 'physico-psycho-spiritual dance,' performed by all, and consists of 18 mudras aligning with 6 physical postures, each associated with a specific idea while strengthening body and mind and making them flexible.
  Tandava or Tāṇḍava: is a vigorous dance. The name tandava is derived from the Sanskrit word tandu, which means 'to jump'.  This dance is only performed by male followers in Ananda Marga.  The dance is performed to imbue the practitioner's mind with courage and honour, dispelling all sorts of complexes and fear, even fear of death itself.
caption: Yoga Sarvangasana.
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