Editing Ananda Marga (section)

=== Vegetarian diet, yogic asanas, physical exercises and yogic treatments ===
[[File:Sarvangasana.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Sarvangasana]]]]

The basic practices of Ánanda Márga are yoga [[asana]]s, [[mudra]]s, [[Bandha (Yoga)|bandha]]s, [[pranayama]], [[Massage#Self massage|self-massage]] and two specific dances, ''[[Kaosikii dance|kaos'ikii]]'' and ''[[tandava]]''. These are accompanied by [[Lacto-vegetarianism|Lacto]]-vegetarian [[diet (nutrition)|diet]] and [[fasting]].
* Diet and fasting: Lacto-vegetarian diet avoids meat, fish, eggs and some substances which are said to have a negative effect on the mind, particularly if "mucus-producing". On specific monthly dates called ''[[Ekadashi]]'' (Sanskrit: একাদশী, ekādaśī, the eleventh day after the full moon),<ref group=note>Ánanda Márga ''[[acharya]]s'' practice fasting in two additional days per month called ''Purnima'' and ''Amavasya''.</ref> the regular practice of ''Upavasa'' (yoga [[fasting]]) is recommended to improve health and strengthen the mind.
* ''[[Yoga]] [[asana]]s'', ''[[mudra]]s'' and ''[[Bandha (Yoga)|bandha]]s'': comprises 42 [[asana]]s<ref group="note">The following are the Ánanda Márga asanasas listed from P. R. Sarkar in "''Ánanda Márga Caryacarya'' part 3": ''Sarvanungasana, Matsyamudra, [[Matsyasana]], [[Matsyendrasana]], [[Virasana]], [[Cakrasana]], Naokasana (or [[Dhanurasana]]), Utkata Pascimottanasana, Parvatasana (or [[Halasana]]), Shivasana, [[Vajrasana (yoga)|Vajrasana]], [[Siddhasana]], Baddha Padmasana, [[Kukkutasana]], [[Gomukhasana]], [[Mayurasana]], [[Kurmakasana]], Sahaja Utkatasana, [[Shalabhasana]], [[Bhujaungasana]], [[Shashaungasana]], Bhastrikasana, [[Janusirsasana]], Ardhashivasana, Ardhakurmakasana (or Dirgha Pranama), Yogasana (or Yogamudra), Tuladandasana, [[Ustrasana]], Utkata Kurmakasana, Jatila Utkatasana, Utkata Vajrasana, [[Padahastasana]], Shivasana, [[Lotus position|Padmasana]], Karmasana, Jinanasana, Bhavasana, Granthimuktasana, [[Garudasana]], Dvisamakonasana, Tejasana, Mandukasana''.</ref> chosen by Sarkar.  The asanas are to be performed at least once a day.  15 ''Yoga [[mudra]]s'' and ''[[Bandha (Yoga)|bandha]]s'' are included.<ref group=note>Mudras and bandhas are listed in "''Ánanda Márga Caryacarya'' part 3": ''Uddayana Mudra, Bandhatraya Yoga (Mahamudra, Mahabandha, Mahaveda), Parthivii Mudra, Ambhasii Mudra, Agneyii Mudra, Vayavii Mudra, Akashii Mudra, Manasii Mudra, Agnisara Mudra, Kakacaincu Mudra, Trimunda Mudra, Ashvinii Mudra, Vajrolii Mudra''.</ref>
* Yogic treatments: in 1957 Sarkar published in Bengali ''Yaogika Cikitsa o Dravyaguna'', translated into English and published in 1983, with revisions under the title ''Yogic Treatments and Natural Remedies''. In this handbook, he described yogic treatments using asanas and mudras with claims about natural and traditional remedies for about forty diseases.<ref group=note>In the preface the author warns the reader not to risk practising asanas and mudras without the guidance of an experienced yoga teacher.</ref>
* ''[[Kaosikii dance|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<ref group=note>The spiritual ideation is carried along with the dance in order to establish a subtle link with the divine.</ref> while strengthening body and mind and making them flexible.
* ''[[Tandava]]'' or ''Tāṇḍava'': is a vigorous dance.<ref group=note>Associated with [[Shiva]] in his cosmic dancer image of [[Nataraja]].</ref> This dance is only performed by male followers. 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.<ref group=note>Thus the dance also has an associated ideation. The dancer starts off with the two arms outstretched, the left arm with an open palm, and the right arm with a clenched fist. The dancer imagines holding a human skull in the left hand, symbolizing death, and  a knife in the right, symbolizing the fight for life; or the actual objects may be used. The dance starts with a jump, landing with bent knees.  Another jump follows, and the dance continues in a jumping manner, lifting one leg then the other continuously. [http://www.tribuneindia.com/2005/20050526/aplus.htm Tribuneindia.com story] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100329044929/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2005/20050526/aplus.htm |date=29 March 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.religlaw.org/template.php?id=2314 |title=Religion and Law Consortium: A Research Forum for Legal Developments on International Law and Religion or Belief Topics |publisher=Religlaw.org |access-date=2011-03-18 |archive-date=15 March 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090315032830/http://www.religlaw.org/template.php?id=2314 |url-status=live }}</ref>