The Saivite ascetic cults
Among the Saivite communities there were cults which remind us strongly of the renouncers. Some of them – like the Sramanas and renouncers – were small clans/cults/orders of holy professionals living in economic and political transactions with the surrounding societies. Among the more cult oriented Saivite groups there were names like the Pasupata, Kapalikas, Kalamukhas, Dasanami Samnyasis -some of them with origins way back in time (Lorenzen 1972, Clark 2004, Dyczkowski 1988, Flood 1996).
They worshipped Siva as the warrior god of destruction and of Yogic asceticism. Some of the Saivite ascetic cults, like the Aghori Samnyasis, indulged in very provocative behaviour: dressed in deerskin, hair covered in mud, body smeared with ashes, living on cremation grounds, wild dancing and laughing in public, and shouting insults. They imitated Siva or Rudra – the god of destruction and death – who they conceived as living beyond caste rules and norms.283
Do this 8 to 10 times. You can do a Yoga international 7 poses to soothe sciatica second set if you want. 79 ADVANCED Wood Chop BENEFITS: Strengthens your back and abdominal Yoga international 7 poses to soothe sciatica muscles, creating a long, lean torso. Lie on your back on the ball, with your arms extended straight behind you, hands clasped. Reach both arms back into a long diagonal stretch, twisting to one side, keeping your hips evenly rooted into the ball. Roll up, bringing both arms up and over to the opposite thigh with a wood chopping action. Repeat 6 times on that side, then switch and do 6 to the other side. 80 INTERMEDIATE Backstroke Abs BENEFITS: Stretches your back, shoulders, and abdominal muscles while strengthening your stabilizing muscles.
