Page:Hatha yoga - or the yogi philosophy of physical well-being, with numberous excercises.djvu/217

Rh not a bath-tub can get just as good results by taking a towel and a basin and passing the wet towel over the entire body, rinsing the towel after the first rub, and then going over the body the second time.

The most desirable time for a wash-off or a bath is in the early morning, immediately after arising. The evening bath is also a good thing. Never bathe immediately before, or immediately after a meal. Give the body a good rubbing with a rough cloth, which will act to loosen up the dead skin, and which will also stimulate the circulation. Never take a cold bath when the body is cold. Exercise yourself a little until you warm up some, before taking a cold bath. In taking a plunge bath, always wet the head before getting the body under water—then wet the chest, and then plunge in.

A favorite Yogi practice after taking a cold bath, or a cool one, is to rub the body vigorously with the hands, instead of using a towel, and then getting into dry clothes with the body still covered with moisture. Instead of this making one feel cold, as some might imagine, it produces just the opposite effect, for a feeling of warmth is experienced immediately after the clothing is on, which is increased by a gentle exercise, which the Yogis always take immediately after the bath. This exercise is not violent, and is discontinued as soon as one feels himself in a gentle glow all over the body.

The favorite Yogi bath, or wash-off, is in cool (not cold) water. They wash themselves vigorously all over, with the hands, or a cloth, followed by a hand-rubbing, practicing the Yogi deep breathing during the wash and the rubbing. They take this immediately