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Proper Relaxation
When the body and the mind are constantly overworked, their natural efficiency to perform work diminishes. Modern social life, food, work and even the so-called entertainment, such as disco dancing, make it difficult for modern people to relax. Many have even forgotten that rest and relaxation are nature's way of recharging. Even while trying to rest, the average person expends a lot of physical and mental energy through tension. Much of the body's energy is wasted uselessly.

More of our energy is spent in keeping the muscles in continual readiness for work than in the actual useful work done. In order to regulate and balance the work of the body and mind, it is best to learn to economize the energy produced by our body. This may be done by learning to relax.

It may be remembered that in the course of one day, our body usually produce all the substances and energy necessary for the next day. But it often happens that all these substances and energy may be consumed within a few minutes by bad moods, anger, injury or intense irritation. The process of eruption and repression of violent emotions often grows into a regular habit. The result is disastrous, not only for the body, but also for the mind.

During complete relaxation, there is practically no energy or "Prana" being consumed, although a little is keeping the body in normal condition while the remaining portion is being stored and conserved.

In order to achieve perfect relaxation, three methods are used by yogis: "Physical", "Mental", and "Spiritual" relaxation. Relaxation is not complete until the person reaches that stage of spiritual relaxation, which only advanced spiritual aspirants know.

1 - Physical Relaxation

We know that every action is the result of thought. Thoughts take form in action, the body reaching to the thought. Just as the mind may send a message to the muscles ordering them to contract, the mind may also send another message to bring the relaxation to the tired muscles.

Physical relaxation first begins with the toes and then moves upward. The autosuggestion pases through the muscles and reaches the eyes and ears at the top. Then, slowly, messages are sent to the kidneys, liver and the other internal organs. This relaxation position is known as Savasan, or the "Corpse Pose

2 - Mental Relaxation

When experiencing mental tension, it is advisable to breathe slowly and rhythmically for a few minutes. Soon the mind will become calm. You may experience a kind of floating sensation.

3 - Spiritual Relaxation

However one may try to relax the mind, all tensions and worries cannot be completely removed until one reaches spiritual relaxation.

As long as a person identifies with the body and the mind, there will be worries, sorrows, anxieties, fear and anger. These emotions, in turn bring tension. Yogis know that unless a person can withdraw from the body/mind idea and separate himself from the ego-consciousness, there is no way of obtaining complete relaxation.
The yogi identifies himself with the all pervading, all-powerful, all-peaceful and joyful self, or pure consciousness within. He knows that the source of all power, knowledge, peace and strength is in the self, not in the body. We tune to this by asserting the real nature, that is "I am that pure consciousness or self". This identification with the self completes the process of relaxation.

Tense and relax
Raise the different parts of the body and contract them very hard for 5 to 6 seconds, then release and relax.
Starting with the legs, do the same for arms, hips, chest and shoulders. Finally contract the facial muscles as well.
Autosuggestion

Beginning with the toes, feel as though a wave of relaxation is slowly moving up through the entire body.
Mentally relax each toe, and then move on to the feet. Relax them completely.
Feel the relaxation moving up the legs, relaxing the calves, the knees, and the thighs.
Feel the relaxation coming up into the hips and the abdominal region.
Relax all the internal organs.
Relax the buttocks and feel the tension slowly releasing from each part of the back.
Allow the floor to hold you up and, as the body relaxes, feel as though you are sinking down into it.
Feel the relaxation coming into the chest, breathing very slowly and gently.
Bring your attention to the fingers, relaxing each one in turn.
Then relax the hands. Feel the relaxation moving up the arms, relaxing the wrists, forearms, and then the upper arms.
Allow the shoulders to relax.
Feel the wave of relaxation moving up the neck into the head.
Relax the face and head. Begin with the jaw and let the mouth hang open slightly.
Relax the tongue and the muscles at the back of the throat.
Relax the chin and the cheeks, then the eyes and eyebrows, the forehead, and the scalp.
Finally, relax the brain. All cares and worries are gone.
Allow the mind and body to remain in this state of relaxation for at least 5 minutes more.