Mind and Emotion

The Warriors Tension Release

This is the warrior's kriya, and you practice it the way a martial artist trains, with great tension and power in every motion. The deep stress you have stored for years does not leave gently, so you strike it out. Done regularly and wholeheartedly, this set strengthens the heart and releases stress lodged in the body, and it builds in you a victorious nature that holds its courage no matter what comes.

Pose 1

Sit in Easy Pose. Place the right palm on the ground about 6 inches from the body (1A). Extend the left arm out to the side, parallel to the ground, and bend the elbow so the palm faces the head (1B). First slap the ground firmly with the right palm 8 times, chanting Har with each slap. Then begin sharp, powerful motions with the left palm as if to slap your own cheek, but stop about an inch before contact. Move the left palm in and back out 8 times, chanting Hari with each slapping movement. Keep alternating between the two hands for 3 minutes. Hold the left arm very firmly, and make the slapping motion so powerful that the cheek would bruise if the palm actually landed. This motion works t

Time: 3 minutes

Pose 2

Stay in Easy Pose and repeat the same sequence of motions, now with both hands at once. First slap the ground with both hands 8 times, chanting Har (2A), then strike both hands toward the cheeks 8 times, chanting Hari (2B). Continue for 5 minutes.

Pose 3

Stay in Easy Pose. Make the hands into fists and extend the arms back and 45 degrees below parallel (3A). Holding great tension in the arms, bring the left fist in toward the chest and stop just before contact (3B), then drive the arm back to its starting position. Now repeat the motion rapidly with the right arm. Keep alternating rapidly, about once per second, for 4 minutes.

Pose 4

Lie on your back. Make the hands into fists and begin powerful punching motions straight up toward the sky (4A), then lower the hands and tap the sides of the sternum with the fingertips (4B). Move powerfully, alternating between the punching and the tapping for 4 minutes.

Pose 5

Stay on your back. Raise the heels six inches off the ground and punch the sky as in Exercise 4A. Continue for 4 minutes. This exercise strengthens the intuitive mind.

Time: 4 minutes
Benefits: this exercise strengthens the intuitive mind.

Pose 6

Relax on your back and let beautiful, uplifting music carry you into deep relaxation. Let go completely and go to sleep. (Musical variation: a recording of the Dhan Dhan Ram Das Guru mantra.)