Excerpt

	Yoga For Health
	excerpt -- pp. 93-94

Tandava

Tandava was introduced as a spiritual dance 7000 years ago by the great Indian yogi, Shiva, who was also known as Nataraj (the Lord of Dance). The word tandava is derived from the Sam'skrta word "tandu," meaning "jumping." Tandava is the fundamental step, "the primordial pace," of all oriental dance.

The dance is performed by vigorous jumping from one foot to the other, the knee of the raised leg crossing one of three selected points -- the navel, the heart, or the throat.

Danced twice a day at the end of meditation or asanas, for a period of 5 minutes, tandava represents the struggle between the forces of life and death. Accordingly, the arms extended hold symbols traditionally associated with each: in the right hand (representing the life force of the sharpened and vigilant mind) a knife, sword or trishula (3 pronged spear) and, in the left hand (representing the fear of death) a snake, skull or fire. Tandava develops the heart and mind of the true spiritual warrior, who possesses firm determination to struggle against and conquer all forms of fear, and even death itself.

The spirit of tandava is expressed in the sentiment "I will face the fear of death, which surrounds me on all sides, and overcome it with the power of the life force of my mind. No force will deter me from the goal. No evil tendency, no enemy, no bondage can shake my determination to be victorious."

This vigorous dance, performed individually, as well as collectively, is intended for men only, since it has a masculinizing effect: it stimulates the adrenal cortex which secretes male hormones. These hormones in turn stimulate the testes to produce testosterone, the hormone responsible for "maleness," i.e. secondary male characteristics; in comparison to women, more body hair, lower voice, enhanced development of skeletal muscles and bones, and a greater degree of aggression. Tandava also stimulates the entire circulatory system, the heart, and lungs -- and also the muscles of the feet, lower leg, thigh, pelvis, back, neck and arms. Tandava thus reduces the possibility of heart attack, high blood pressure and lung atrophy.

Yoga For Health

excerpt -- pp. 93-94