Page:Hatha yoga - or the yogi philosophy of physical well-being, with numberous excercises.djvu/218

218 after arising, and follow it with a mild exercise as we have stated. In very cold weather they do not plunge into the water, but apply it with a cloth, followed by the hand-rubbing. A wonderful reaction follows the application of cool water, applied as we have stated, and the body soon manifests a magnetic glow after the clothing is placed on one after the bath. The result of these Yogi baths if practiced for awhile is that the person will become vigorous and "hardy," their flesh becoming; strong, firm and compact, and a "cold" becoming almost unknown to them. The person practicing it becomes like a strong, hardy tree, able to face all kinds of weather and seasons.

Right here, let us caution our readers against adopting a too cold bath at the start. Don't do this, particularly if you are of impaired vitality. Try water at a pleasant temperature at first, and then work down toward a little cooler, gradually. You will soon strike a degree of temperature that is most pleasing to you—stick to that. But do not punish yourselves. This morning cool wash-down should be a thing of pleasure to you, not a punishment or a penance. When you have once caught the "knack" of it, you would never think of giving it up. It makes you feel good all day long. You feel a little cool as the wet cloth is applied to the body, but this is followed in a moment or so by a most delightful reaction and a feeling of warmth. In case you take a cool bath in the tub, instead of a wash-down, do not stay in the tub more than one minute, and use your hands vigorously the whole time that you are in the water.