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Hatha Yoga: The Yogi Philosophy of Physical Well-Being1930
own system, which is just as much dirt as the other, and sometimes occasions
worse results?
Everyone should wash off his body at least once a day. We do not mean
that a bath-tub is necessary (although a tub is, of course, a great convenience),
but a good wash-off is requisite. Those who have not a bath tub can get just
as good results by taking a towel and a basin and passing the wet towel over
the entire body, rinsing the towel after the first rub, and then going over the
body the second time.
The most desirable time for a wash-off or a bath is in the early morning,
immediately after arising. The evening bath is also a good thing. Never bathe
immediately before, or immediately after a meal. Give the body a good
rubbing with a rough cloth, which will act to loosen up the dead skin, and
which will also stimulate the circulation. Never take a cold bath when the
body is cold. Exercise yourself a little until you warm up some, before taking
a cold bath. In taking a plunge bath, always wet the head before getting the
body under water—then wet the chest, and then plunge in.
A favorite Yogi practice after taking a cold bath, or a cool one, is to rub the
body vigorously with the hands, instead of using a towel, and then getting
into dry clothes with the body still covered with moisture. Instead of this
making one feel cold, as some might imagine, it produces just the opposite
effect, for a feeling of warmth is experienced immediately after the clothing
is on, which is increased by a gentle exercise, which the Yogis always take
immediately after the bath. This exercise is not violent, and is discontinued
as soon as one feels himself in a gentle glow all over the body.
The favorite Yogi bath, or wash-off, is in cool (not cold) water. They wash
themselves vigorously all over, with the hands, or a cloth, followed by a
hand-rubbing, practicing the Yogi deep breathing during the wash and the
rubbing. They take this immediately after arising, and follow it with a mild
exercise as we have stated. In very cold weather they do not plunge into the
water, but apply it with a cloth, followed by the hand-rubbing. A wonderful
reaction follows the application of cool water, applied as we have stated,