In a place with these characteristics, the yogī should build his hermitage with a small door, without holes or cracks, neither too low nor too high.

Continuing the description of the practice space, Svātmārāma details the maṭha (hermitage). The small door (alpa-dvāra) limits distractions; the absence of cracks (arandhra) protects from drafts and insects.

The appropriate height allows standing without oppression but maintains the intimacy of the space. Each detail serves a purpose: creating a container (maṇḍala) for practice.

In contemporary context, your “maṭha” can be a room, a corner, or even a mat that you ritually unfold. The essential thing is intention: this space is dedicated to practice.

Traditional yoga understands that environment affects the mind. A cluttered space generates a scattered mind; a clean and contained space favors concentration.