In many yoga texts I saw the worning about bathing before the sunrise. Yoga should not take a shower before the sunrise…
Do you know what is the reasoning behind that? Maybe religious or just simply they were casious aobut night time creatures?
[quote=CityMonk;40449]In many yoga texts I saw the worning about bathing before the sunrise. Yoga should not take a shower before the sunrise…
Do you know what is the reasoning behind that? Maybe religious or just simply they were casious aobut night time creatures?[/quote]
CM: Would you please share and cite these texts that you have read this in? It would offer us some context for the instruction, and also offer us an idea if it a Yogic, societal, religious or Ayurvedic recommendation, or if it is a based in something else.
I have done a fairly significant amount of the study of Yoga and Ayurveda, and have lived in India, where I was part of regular bathing and river rituals by men, women and children during pre-sunrise hours. I have never heard or read anything about it, so I am curious and interested in this recommendation that you have found in your reading.
Thank you in anticipation!
Yours in Yoga,
Nichole
Today, I read it in the book of Phulgenda Sinha “Yoga cure for common disease”, 1974; and thats why I got so curious since I have read it and heard it few times before…i will look up other sources, I have to really go through pages:) but I will.
That could be like most things…someone said in indian, another one translated to English, and so on…
One more time I saw it in the Ernest Woods book…
CM: Thank you for adding your two authors – this is so helpful! 
Initially, I was unclear of your use of the word [I]text. [/I]If I can share with you, in general, when using the word [I]text[/I] in reference to the system of Yoga, the definition that is assumed is along these lines:[LEFT]• The original words of an author or speaker, as opposed to a translation, paraphrase, commentary, or the like.
• The actual wording of anything written or printed.
[/LEFT]
As [I]text[/I] implies the source, or close as possible to the original written word. Well-written and well-documented modern books should include a list of the texts that they draw from so that readers can reference the source to see if the secondary author is interpreting and disseminating the original information as it was documented and intended. This individual duty of due diligence is vital to keeping the original, intended teachings, and to keep our vow of [I]satya[/I] (truthfulness) by not inadvertently propagating misinformation and wrong practice in the name of Yoga.
I took the time to look this up because I was curious about what you took from your readings; I wanted to know what reasons the authors had shared to see whether I also saw merit in their instruction.
So this is what I found in the book,[I] Yoga Cure for Common Disease[/I] by Phulgenda Sinha. On page 18, the commentary stated this:[I]For those practising yoga in the morning, it is not necessary to take a bath before they do it. It depends on the convenience and personal choice of the practitioner to bathe either before or after practice.[/I]
There are many Earnest Woods books, so I am going to pass on searching that source out.
What I read in Dr. Sinha’s book is consistent with what I was taught and have studied too. From scrolling through this book of his, the instruction in general looks sound to my eyes and understanding.
I have no doubts that you may have read this “no pre-dawn bathing” instruction somewhere, as there are so many conflicting instructions between the teachers and schools of Yoga, both in the East and West. Good for you to keep asking questions about what you are reading and learning! I share this with you
Your own,
Nichole
[QUOTE=CityMonk;40449]In many yoga texts I saw the worning about bathing before the sunrise. Yoga should not take a shower before the sunrise…
Do you know what is the reasoning behind that? Maybe religious or just simply they were casious aobut night time creatures?[/QUOTE]
I don’t think any one will tell that you should not take bath before sunrise. It is completely wrong perception. But you should not take bath right after your yoga practice.
Hindus who will do sandhyavandanam(it is a hindu ritual to sun)Prefer to take bath at sunrise.
Ok, I found one more reference.
Ernest Wood, 1954
"There are few things which swara sadhaka must avoid: acid foods,… bathing before sunrise, stealing, enmity, much coversation, much eating…etc."
In the book this is quatation from Shiva Sanhita iii 22-40
Hope this helps…
Looks like just a superstition.
In the best case it comes form some authors observations, but may not have a considerable influence. If all yamas and niyamas are followed perfectly and you still feel somethings wrong -
THAT MUST BE BATHING BEFORE SUNRISE :o 
Does it really matter? 
Technically before sunrise is anytime after sundown…so I guess then bathing would only be done while the sun it up.
[QUOTE=omamana;40882]Does it really matter? [/QUOTE]
I dont know:)) I’ve seen this advise if few sources… and got curious.
In my opinion, this has something to do with incests and other creatures. Back in years, people have to bathe in the rivers and that could be dangerous…this is just my guess though…
[QUOTE=Sasha;40881]Looks like just a superstition.
In the best case it comes form some authors observations, but may not have a considerable influence. If all yamas and niyamas are followed perfectly and you still feel somethings wrong -
THAT MUST BE BATHING BEFORE SUNRISE :o ;)[/QUOTE]
Well, there are a lot of tings in Hatha Yoga Pradipika that sounds nonsense at first too… like wiping genitals with caw’s manure ash:) but if you think about it…centuries ago(and still in some places) people use ash to kill bugs…
Go figure that sunbathing thing:)
Both in Hindu and Sikh religion the meditative practices begin somewhere around 4 am in the morning, long before sun rise. These early hours are known as Brahma-mahurat (moments of Brahma) and Amrit-vela(ambroisal hours) in Hinduism and Sikhism respectively.
The ancient way was to get up, and take a walk upto a nearby river. The walking caused gut movement, and as a result a person could empty his bowels on the way somewhere in the jungle or fields. Then upon reaching the river one used to take a bath and then sit in meditation till the sun rose. Then one used to come back and start attending to one’s daily life routine.
Bathing after sunrise is generally considered laziness by older people. All the elders are always grumbling to the kids to get up early. Except for some special cases, I cannot imagine a traditional yoga practitioner bathing after sunrise.
i’ve heard cold showers prescribed to make one more alert ,awake before practice.
the HYP has a no. of thing in it like sweep you practice area clear of (Indian) bugs before practice.the buddhists were not meant to inadvertently stand on them.
in ashtanga vinyasa yoga, that promoted by p.b,jois, they’re not encouraged to shower after practice as it is said to wash away minerals and salts in the sweat formed after practice which would be mineral depleting. better they say are re-abosrbed. tehy might rub them back in, indeed i’ve heard of strange oil baths prescribed within that school.
but if you are alittle sleepy before practice you can use whatever mgith help you. sometimes some light asanas if you can do that can help to warm-up & energise. i remember waching a little clan of martial kung-fu kids living in a monsatery in tibet or china some where and before they commenced their 5-6am more formal practices every morning without fail they ran up at least a 1000ft possibly more high hill because their hemriatge was located high in the hills. i saw this on national geographic or some such thing. interesting video- it was roughly about kung-fu and the orgins of martial arts. it’s often said a hindu yogi monk brought it to china where more traditional forms of indian yoga sort of metamoprhosed into chinese martial arts.
[QUOTE=lostontheway;41376]Both in Hindu and Sikh religion the meditative practices begin somewhere around 4 am in the morning, long before sun rise. These early hours are known as Brahma-mahurat (moments of Brahma) and Amrit-vela(ambroisal hours) in Hinduism and Sikhism respectively.
The ancient way was to get up, and take a walk upto a nearby river. The walking caused gut movement, and as a result a person could empty his bowels on the way somewhere in the jungle or fields. Then upon reaching the river one used to take a bath and then sit in meditation till the sun rose. Then one used to come back and start attending to one’s daily life routine.
Bathing after sunrise is generally considered laziness by older people. All the elders are always grumbling to the kids to get up early. Except for some special cases, I cannot imagine a traditional yoga practitioner bathing after sunrise.[/QUOTE]
Or , thank you!
Very interesting…and makes perfect sense.
Some yoga traditions believe that bathing before sunrise can disturb the body's natural energy flow. There’s also the idea that early morning water carries a different energy, which could impact meditation or practice. Others see it as a practical concern, since colder temperatures before dawn might not be ideal for the body. People check bath planet reviews when considering upgrades for a more relaxing bathing experience, but ancient texts focus more on timing and spiritual aspects. Different schools of thought have their own reasoning, so it really depends on the practice.