Time: Begin with 3 rounds; gradually increase to as
many as 12 according to your capacity. Do not overexert.
Benefits: a general tonic for entire body and personality,
as it is a complete combination of bodily postures, breathing and
prayerful attitude. Performed rapidly, it alerts you; done slowly,
it quiets the restless body and mind.
| #1: Stand erect, feet
together. Place the palms together in front of the chest.
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| #2: Raise the arms overhead,
lock thumbs. Keeping the arms alongside the ears, bend
backward, looking at the hands. |
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| #3: Keep the head between
the arms and fold forward, knees straight. If possible place
the palms on the floor on either side of the feet and bring
the face to the knees. |
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| #4: With palms beside
the feet, stretch the left leg back, placing the left knee on
the floor. Leave the right foot between the hands, right knee
to the chest. Look up. |
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| #5: Bring the right
foot back to meet the left, raise the buttocks so the body forms
a triangle. Stretch the heels toward the floor and look at the
feet. |
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| #6: Lower the knees,
chest and chin to the floor, leaving the pelvis slightly raised.
Palms are now beneath the shoulders. |
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| #7: Lower the pelvis
to the floor, stretch up the head, neck and chest. Keep the
elbows slightly bent and in toward the body so the weight rests
on the back. |
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| #8: Pressing with the
palms and feet, lift the buttocks high, back into the triangle
as in #5. Press heels toward the floor and look at the feet. |
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| #9: Swing the left foot
forward between the hands, left knee touching the chest. The
right leg is now stretched back, knee to the floor. Look up. |
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| #10: Bring the right
foot forward to meet the left, straighten the knees. Let the
upper body hang down. If possible, place the hands beside the
feet and bring the face to the knees. |
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| #11: Lock thumbs and
with arms alongside the ears, stretch up and bend back, looking
at the hands. |
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| #12: Place the palms
together in front of the chest. |
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