20 - The Health Postures & Their Stages of Accomplishment

"You don't have to go to extremes in the postures. ... Skill just requires greater concentration."

The basic posture stretch should be done in the middle of a room on a soft rug, with nothing behind the person, so that if the balance is lost, it will be just an easy roll on a rug - like a rocking motion - as the buttocks are only a few inches from the floor in these postures. It does not take a large space at all, just enough so one does not bump against anything if the balance is lost while attempting to take the position, which happens frequently until one gets used to the squatting posture. The balance is easily maintained forward and sideways, and no extra space is needed in these two directions; it is only the space in back of the person which should be clear for a roll.

The feet should be flat on the floor for the muscle stretch on the legs. Merely placing the weight on the balls of the feet or on the toes does not give the best results. It is better to try to do a little stretching right then and there than to place the weight on the balls of the feet or toes in this posture. If necessary, it can be done with shoes on at first, since the heels are a lift and less stretching of the muscles of the calves are required if the heels are slightly elevated. The same heel lift for this posture may be accomplished by using a small pad under the heels. However, for the maximum benefit, it is best