Mind and Emotion

Gheranda Samhita

This is a head set, worked entirely standing. It drives prana up the nadis into the brain, the glands, the eyes, the throat, and the nerves of the face, and it interrupts venous return so fresh blood and nourishment flood the higher centers. The bends and the locks stretch the spinal cord and the peripheral nerves, and the chin lock seals the nectar dripping from the thousand-petaled lotus so it kindles the kundalini instead of burning away. Practiced with will, it sharpens the mind, the memory, and the intellect, and it returns the senses to their original clarity.

Pose 1

Stand. Tilt the head slightly back, keep the eyes open, and hold for 2-3 minutes with gentle breathing. For singers, this clears the pharynx and the phlegm.

Time: 2-3 minutes

Pose 2

Come into Prayer Pose and breathe long and deep for 2-3 minutes. This sublimates the sexual drive and steadies your concentration.

Time: 2-3 minutes

Pose 3

Bring the feet together, tilt the head way back with the eyes open, and do Breath of Fire for 2-3 minutes. This builds the mind and the will power.

Breath: Breath of Fire
Time: 2-3 minutes

Pose 4

Stand and fix the eyes on a spot 5 feet ahead of the toes. Hold the gaze there and do Breath of Fire for 2-3 minutes. This clears mental fatigue and develops the memory.

Breath: Breath of Fire
Time: 2-3 minutes

Pose 5

Press the chin into the notch in the sternum and do Breath of Fire for 2-3 minutes. This is Jalandhara Bandha: the nectar that drips from the thousand-petaled lotus is no longer burnt up in the digestive system, the life force is held, and the kundalini is kindled. It develops the intellect.

Breath: Breath of Fire
Time: 2-3 minutes

Pose 6

Bring the feet together and tilt the head back. With all your will, stare at the spot between the eyebrows. Hold for 2-11 minutes. This stimulates the junction of nerves between the eyes and the ears, and works the muscles that move the eyeball and the iris and their coordination. It guards against blindness and clears all eye disease. The glasses go after 40 days of practice.

Time: 2-11 minutes

Pose 7

Join the fingertips and close the nostrils with the thumbs. With the eyes open, inhale through the crow beak, the puckered lips. Hold the breath, close the eyes, drop the chin into the sternal notch, and puff the cheeks out with the held breath. Hold as long as you can, then bring the head back to normal, open the eyes, and exhale slowly through the nose. This aerates the oral cavity and brings fresh air where germs breed. It strengthens the facial muscles and the teeth and clears pyorrhoea, caries, halitosis, and pimples. It frees a man of the symptoms of old age and gives the longevity of a camel. Repeat several times.