Page:Hatha yoga - or the yogi philosophy of physical well-being, with numberous excercises.djvu/208

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208
HATHA YOGA

Exercise IX

(1) Stand erect, with the arms extended straight in front of you, from the shoulders, and of course on a level with the shoulders—the palms must be down, fingers straight out, thumbs folded under, and the thumb side of hands touching each other; (2) Bend the body forward from the hips, stooping forward as far as possible, and at the same time swing the arms forward with a sweeping movement, sending them down, backward and upward at the back, so that when the body has reached the limit of the bending forward movement the arms are extended back and over the body—keep the arms stiff, and do not bend the knees. (3) Resume standing position and repeat several times.


Exercise X

(1) Extend the arms straight, sideways, from the shoulder, and hold them there stiff and rigid with hands open; (2) Close the hands forcibly, with a quick motion, pressing the fingers well into the palm; (3) Open the hands forcibly, and quickly, spreading out the fingers and thumbs as widely as possible, forming a fan-shaped hand; (4) Close and open the hands as above stated, several times, as rapidly as possible. Put life into the exercise. This is a splendid exercise for developing the muscles of the hand, and for acquiring manual dexterity.


Exercise XI

(1) Lie upon your stomach, extending your arms above your head and then bowed upward, and your