RIght now, I want to strangle someone
I have an old yoga book published in 1959 and in it there is a reference to internal cleansing by making yourself sick. Is this really a yogic technique? It sounds a bit extreme.
The process you mention is called Vyaghrasana or tiger and it was designed by the yogis after carefully observing the way the tiger deals with his food. Performing it makes the digestive system stronger and tones the muscles of the abdomen, which in turn burns off excess fat there and trims the waist. If you overeat, the performance of both body and mind is impaired because the body has to deal with breaking down and absorbing the extra food. Performing the tiger exercise gives the body a helping hand to remove any foods and liquids it does not require.
If you perform tiger at least once a week you will notice a difference in the shape of your abdomen and hips; your sexual organs and back will feel much stronger; and your posture and stamina will improve. You will also walk with grace. Note: perform the tiger at least 3-4 hours after eating a meal. When 1 was undergoing my yogic training in the Himalayan region, many of the yogis kept - and recommended that you keep - a pound of boiled rice, cooked before performing the exercise, to eat immediately after the asana is performed. The rice works well with the body post-tiger and keeps it energised.
How to perform tiger
You will need a bottle of cold water and a bucket (unless you are close to a sink). Warning: Not suitable for children or pregnant women. 1. Sit cross-legged and start drinking water slowly. Wait for a few seconds. Resume drinking, but this time gulp down as much as you can. Pause and stand up; drink more water. 2. Now bend your head over the sink or bucket and using your index finger and the one next to it, tickle the inside of the throat. Push the fingers down to the epiglottis: you should vomit. In that vomit, you will see not only the water you have just drunk but also leftover food that your body has consumed. 3. Now drink some more water, at least three glasses, even if you feel full. Use your fingers again: push them down the throat and vomit. Repeat this process until you are vomiting out only water with no traces of leftover food. Relax for 6-7 minutes, 4. Eat the ready-prepared rice and wash down with a glass of milk. It will help take away any bitter taste from the throat and mouth. 5. Wait at least 3 hours before eating a proper big meal: the waiting time helps the stomach refresh and purify itself.