Light on Yoga: The Bible of Modern Yoga

592

Y ogasanas, Bandha and Kriya 423

3· To start with breathe deeply. Later the breathing should be fine and

slow, with no jerky movements to disturb the spine or the body.

4· Concentrate on deep and fine exhalations, in which the nostrils do
not feel the warmth of breath.

5. The lower jaw should hang loose and not be clenched. The tongue
   should not be disturbed, and even the pupils of the eyes should be kept
   completely passive.


6. Relax completely and breathe out slowly.


7. If the mind wanders, pause without any strain after each slow
   e,xhalation.


8. Stay in the pose from I 5 to 20 minutes.

9· One is apt to fall asleep in the beginning. Gradually, when the

nerves become passive, one feels completely relaxed and refreshed.

In good relaxation one feels energy flow from the back of the head

towards the heels and not the other way round. One also feels as if the

body is elongated.

Effects

Verse 32 of the First Chapter of the H a?ha Yoga Prad"ipika states:

'Lying upon ' one's back on the ground at full length like a corpse is

called Savasana. This removes the fatigue caused by the other asanas

and induces calmness of mind.'

Mrtasana is thus described in verse I r of the Second Chapter of the

Gherar:cfa Samhita: 'Lying fiat on the ground (on one's back) like a

corpse is called Mrtasana. This posture destroys fatigue, and quiets the

agitation of the mind.'

'The mind is the lord of the Indriyas (the organs of senses); the

Pral!a (the Breath of Life) is the lord of the mind.' 'When the mind

is absorbed it is called Mok�a (final emancipation, liberation of the