Mind and Emotion

The Adrenal Glands

Stress is the slow thief of the body. It burns through the adrenals, the small glands that govern whether you live alert or live relaxed, and when they weaken the whole system frays into chronic fatigue and the false rescue of caffeine. This kriya rebuilds them. It strengthens the adrenals, sharpens digestion, balances the nervous system and the two hemispheres of the brain, dissolves fear, and pours raw vitality back into the body.

Pose 1

Come into Camel Pose

Come into Camel Pose. Breathe powerfully through the nose, one complete breath every 2 to 3 seconds. Inhale deeply and fill the lungs, then on the exhale press the navel forcefully back toward the spine. Hold this for 4 minutes. This works on water and food diseases, helps reduce obesity, and with steady practice gives one the power to live forty days without food. Variation: you can do this to music, to a steady devotional recording. Chant with the music and breathe powerfully and rhythmically, pressing the navel in on each strong syllable. Continue for several minutes.

Breath: Inhale deeply to fill the lungs, and as you exhale press the navel forcefully towards the spine
Time: 2 - 3 seconds

Pose 2

Come into Crow Pose

Come into Crow Pose. Keep the spine straight and the feet flat on the ground. Extend the arms straight out in front, parallel to the ground, hands in fists. Hold tension in the arms and move them alternately to 30 degrees below parallel, one arm rising as the other descends. Continue for 2 minutes. Musical variation: chant along with a devotional recording.

Time: 2 minutes

Pose 3

Lie on the back

Lie on the back and interlock the hands behind the neck at the hairline. Raise the legs, hips, buttocks, and torso off the floor in one arching, jumping motion. Let the body drop and hit hard on the floor. Continue for 4 minutes. This is a strong exercise for the lower back and is the best thing a woman can do for herself.

Time: 4 minutes
Benefits: This is a good exercise for the lower back and is "the best thing a woman can do for herself".

Pose 4

3 minutes

Sit in Easy Pose. Extend the arms out to the sides, palms facing down. The right arm rides 30 degrees above parallel, the left arm 30 degrees below parallel. Keep the arms straight and move them together in one line. The right arm lowers to the floor and slaps the ground 4 times while the left arm rises and makes the same slapping motion in the air. Move to the rhythm of the mantra Har Har Har Haree. Continue for 3 minutes. Chant this mantra powerfully in a monotone from the navel center behind the belly button. Then (5) remain in Easy Pose and move the arms the same way with the mantra Har Har Whaa-hay Guroo. On the fifth beat, Guroo, do a quick double strike with the hands. Continue for 3

Time: 3 minutes

Pose 5

Keep chanting Har Har Whaa-hay Guroo as you move through the following postures, each one for 30 seconds. a) Place the right hand on the heart and tap the ground with the left hand. b) Continue with both arms as in Exercise 4. c) Repeat 7a. d) Repeat 7b. e) Repeat 7a. This is a brain exercise that strengthens the electromagnetic field. The upper-arm motion brings youthfulness, and the motion of the lower, striking arm brings you energy.

Time: 30 seconds

Pose 6

Sit in Easy Pose

Sit in Easy Pose. Extend the arms straight in front, parallel to the ground, hands in fists. Powerfully move both hands alternately to 30 degrees above parallel and 30 degrees below parallel. Move like a fast and powerful machine. Begin with Breath of Fire, then substitute the mantra Saa Taa Naa Maa in rhythm with the arm movement. Continue for 2 minutes.

Breath: Breath of Fire
Time: 2 minutes

Pose 7

Sit in Easy Pose

Sit in Easy Pose with the hands in Gyan Mudra resting on the knees. Breathe gently through the nose and feel peace and compassion. Meditate and feel healed throughout. Continue this healing meditation for 5 to 10 minutes. Musical variation: a version of Dhan Dhan Ram Das Gur, sung openly from the heart. Then (10) lie on your back with the arms by the sides, palms facing up, and deeply relax for 10 minutes.

Time: 5 to 10 minutes