YogCisanas, Bandha and Kriya 183185
master the balance. While coming down, he can rest the fe et and hips
against the wall, slide down and kneel, resting his knees on the floor.
The movements of coming down and going up should be done with
an exhalation.
I I. The advantage which the beginner has of balancing in a comer is
that his head and legs will be in the right angle formed by the walls,
and he will be sure of his right position. This will not be the case if
he balances against a straight wall. For while his balance is insecure
he may sway from the wall, or his body may tilt or swing to the
stronger side, while his legs may rest against the wall with a bend either
at the waist or the hips. The beginner will not be in a position to
know that he has tilted to one side, much less to correct it. In time
he may learn to balance on the head, but by habit his body may still
tilt or his head may not be straight. It is as hard to correct a wrong
pose in the head stand as it is to break a bad habit. Moreover this
wrong posture may well lead to aches and pains in the head, neck,
shoulders and back. But the two walls of a corner will help the
beginner to keep the asana symmetrical.
I 2. When once balance is secured, it is advisable to come down to
the floor with the legs straight (that is, without bending the knees