Page:Hatha yoga - or the yogi philosophy of physical well-being, with numberous excercises.djvu/187

Rh And, on the other hand, the practice of relaxing—of avoiding the tense condition of the muscles, in everyday life—will react upon the mind, and will enable it to regain its normal poise and repose. It is a rule that works both ways.

One of the first lessons in physical relaxation the Hatha Yogis give to their pupils is given in the next paragraph. Before beginning, however, we wish to impress upon the mind of the student the keynote of the Yogi practice of Relaxation. It consists of two words: "LET GO." If you master the meaning of these two words and are able to put them into practice you have grasped the secret of the Yogi theory and practice of Relaxation.

The following is a favorite Yogi exercise in Relaxation: Lie down flat on the back. Relax as thoroughly as you can, letting go of all the muscles. Then, still relaxed, let your mind wander over the body from the head down to the toes. In doing this you will find that here and there are certain muscles still in a tense condition—let go of them. If you do this thoroughly (you will improve by practice) you will end by having every muscle in the body fully relaxed and the nerves at rest. Take a few deep breaths, lying quietly; and fully relaxed. You may vary this exercise by gently rolling over to one side, and again relaxing completely. Then roll over to the other side and relax completely. This is not as easy as it appears at first reading, as you will realize from a few trials. But do not be discouraged. Try it again until you master the "knack." While lying relaxed carry in your mind that you are lying on a soft, downy couch and that your body and limbs