DIFFERENT YOGA POSITIONS

Articles In This Section:

· YOGIS AND SEX

· SELF REALIZATION AND SELF INDULGENCE

· A GOOD MARRIAGE

· DIFFERENT YOGA POSITIONS

· PERFECTION OF SPIRIT

For persons unable to do the Headstand, there is the Shoulder Stand, or Sarvangasana (Page 129) and the Reverse Posture, or Viparitakarani Mudra (Page 123), both of which accomplish almost, if not quite, the same results. Again, you will find a careful description of these exercises and the various benefits derived from them in Chapter XL

But revitalizing the pituitary is not the only way to keep the gonads in top functioning condition. Exercises for both stimulating and sublimating the sex instincts include the Stomach Lift or Uddiyana Bandha (Page 13 3), the Plough or Halasana (Page 141), the Fish Pose, Matsyasana (Page 128) and the Supine Pelvic Posture (Page 128). Keep in mind that each of these asanas is beneficial in more ways than this one—that by learning to do them you will be reaping fringe benefits, but their specific value here is revitalization of the gonad secretions, overcoming seminal weakness in men and ovarian disturbances in women. The Stomach Lift, for instance, massages the inner walls of the abdomen and tones all stomach muscles. The Plough, Fish and Supine Poses strengthen and stimulate the muscles and organs of the lower abdomen, or the entire pelvic region. This, of course, has a direct bearing on the glands situated there. At the same time all of these asanas as well as the Headstand have a beneficial effect on the thyroid gland so closely related to our overall physical well-being.

Naturally, as has been said elsewhere, it is not necessary to perform all of the exercises mentioned here. You would probably not have time for them even if you have the agility. Besides, in working out a schedule for yourself you must not neglect other aspects of your Yoga routine. Since any one of them, done accurately and regularly, will accomplish the desired results, start with whichever is easiest for you and suits you best. Keep to it for a while and, if you have time for more or wish to vary your routine, experiment with a second or a third later on. In a short while the effects will become apparent and will doubtless surprise you: you will be rewarded not only by physical revitalization, but a sense of greater inner harmony. Anxieties relating to your sexual activity will gradually vanish. This combination of renewed vitality and inner peace will eventually mean the ability to maintain undiminished sexual powers for decades longer than is generally common in the West.

Sexual potency and responsiveness—or conversely the ability to control too-violent, disturbing urges—will not be the only gain you will notice. Your instinctive drives once properly channeled, you will discover that your general relationships with others are gradually changing for the better. First and foremost, of course, there may be a change in the relationship with husband or wife. Physically and emotionally you will find yourself growing more giving, and inevitably you will receive more in turn. What's more, your new inner balance will make it possible for you to have a deeper understanding of your partner, a new responsiveness to the other's needs, a greater tolerance of faults and imperfections. What was once a simple physical urge will have grown into spiritual experience.