Light on Yoga: The Bible of Modern Yoga

142 Light on Yoga

5· Remain in the pose for about 15 to 30 seconds with normal breath­

ing. Lower the legs, release the arms from between the legs one by

one, straighten the legs and relax.

6. Change the crossing of the legs and repeat the pose.

Effects

In this posture the abdominal organs are contracted completely and

the blood is made to circulate well round the organs. This keeps them

in trim.

54· Gorakfasana Ten* (Plate r 17)

Gorak�a means a cowherd. It is a difficult balancing pose and one feels

elated even if one can only balance for a few seconds.

Te chnique

r. Perform Padmasana (Plate 104), stretch the arms forward and place

them on the floor.

2. Rest on the hands and raise the hips from the floor.

3· Stretch the trunk up vertically and stand with the top part of the

knees on the floor.

4· Stretch the thighs and balance gradually by lifting the hands one by

one from the floor.

5· When balance is secured, fold the hands in front of the chest and

hold the position as long as you can. (Plate 1 17)

6. Place the hands on the floor, sit down and release the legs.
   7. Change the leg position and repeat the pose for the same length
   of time.

Effects

In addition to the benefits of Padmasana (Plate 104), one achieves a

sense of balance. The coccyx (the tail bone) gets elasticity by the

practice of this pose.

55· Baddha Padmasana Six* (Plate II8)

Baddha means caught, restrained. In this position the hands are crossed

at the back and the big toes are caught from behind. The body is

caught between the crossed legs in front and the crossed hands behind,

hence the name.