II6 Light on YogaThe chest is well expanded and the back becomes erect. The shoulder
joints move freely and the latissimus dorsi are fully extended.
- Lolasana Six* (Plate 83)
Lola means tremulous, moving to and fro or dangling like an ear-ring.
In this posture the legs and feet are kept as in Gomukhasana. (Plate
So.) The hands are placed on the floor by the side of the hips and the
body is raised up and supported only by the hands and wrists. Then one
balances swaying slightly forward and backward, the movement re
sembling that of a dangling pendant.
Technique
r. Sit on the floor with the legs stretched straight in front. (Plate 77)- Place the palms on the floor by the side of the hips.
3· Raise the seat, bend the right knee back, place the right sole beneath
the left buttock and sit on it.
4· Bend the left knee back and again raising the seat, place the left sole
beneath the right buttock and sit on it.5· The feet will be crossed so that the right shin is above the left calf.
Keep the toes pointing backwards. (Plate 82)- Take a few breaths. Exhale, raise the trunk and legs off the floor and
balance on the hands, stretching out the arms. (Plate 83.) Gently rock
the trunk and legs forwards and backwards. Breathe normally. - Rest on the floor and uncross the legs.
8. Recross the legs the other way and again balance on the hands.
9· Balance as long as possible.Effects
This asana strengthens the wrists and hands, the muscles of the back and
the abdominal organs. It makes the leg muscles elastic and the minor
muscles of the arms will be developed and toned.39· Siddhasana One* (Plate 84)
Siddha means a semi-divine being supposed to be of great purity and
holiness, and to possess supernatural faculties called siddhis. Siddha
means also an inspired sage, seer or prophet.
'The Siddhas say that as among niyamas, the most important is not
to harm anyone, and among the yamas a moderate diet, so is Siddhasana
among the asanas.'