Light on Yoga: The Bible of Modern Yoga

294 Light on Yoga

37!

5· Remain in this position from^15 to 6o seconds with deep breathing.

6. Unfold the p(llms, hold the left ankle with both hands, lower the
   left leg to the ground and straighten it.


7. Repeat the pose on the right side, placing the right leg behind
   the neck. The left leg should lie straight on the floor. Keep the pose
   on both sides for the same length of time.

Effects

By the practice of this posture the neck and the back grow stronger

while the thighs and the hamstring muscles are stretched fully. The

abdominal muscles are contracted and the digestive power increases.

Until one has practised the posture one does not realise the weight

and pressure of the leg which rests on the neck.

'

Eka Piida Sir�iisana Cy cle

The ' asanas given below can be done in continuation of Eka Pada

Si"r�asana (Plate 371) one after another at a stretch. There is no need

to do them separately.

First, perform the entire cycle of asanas doing Eka Pada Si"r�asana

with one leg placed on the bar:, of the neck. Then rest for a minute or

two and repeat the cycle with the other leg placed on the back of the

neck. These poses are strenuous and require long practice to master.

I 36. Skandasana Sixteen* (Plate 372)

Skanda is the name of Kartikeya, the god of War, whose birth forms

the subject matter of Kumara-sambhava, the epic poem written by

Kalidasa. Once the gods were troubled by the demon Taraka, ' who it

was prophesied could only be destroyed by the son of Siva and

Parvatl, the beautiful daughter of the mountain Himalaya. But the