This kriya is fantastic for releasing stress. It has a long history in India. When people were filled with grief over the death of a loved one or a tragedy of some sort, they did this first exercise standing in a river. Rivers were seen as the flow of life, as sacred and healing. They would toss the water over their shoulder. The yogis knew that the brain had to be restarted, broken out of the frozen state that stress produces. This kriya works best if practiced regularly for a while. Even if you do this practice without a river and without belief in anything but your own Infinite Self, it works wonders. This exercise is for the glandular system and the liver; it will relax you.

“It will hit the kidney energy, start working with the adrenals, and then the whole system: The lungs, the central line, your hip area, pelvic bone area. It is going to affect your body and you will become very relaxed. Do it with a rhythm and do it with a devotion and do it just to get rid of this stress. Get rid of this inner mental and physical tension. You are your vitality. Minus tension, you are fine.” —Yogi Bhajan

Posture: Sit in Easy Pose with a straight spine.

Eyes: Eyes are focused on the tip of the nose.

Mudra & Movement: The left hand rests on the Heart Center, right hand cupped in front of you, with the elbow relaxed by your side.

The right hand lifts up and passes the ear, as if you are splashing water over your shoulder. Feel the wind pass the ear as the hand moves toward the shoulder. The wrist must cross the earlobe; the hand must travel that far back.