In her book, Relax and Renew, Judith Lasater refers to Patanjali's Yoga Sutra and a description of hiranyagarbha, the Sanskrit word meaning "the great golden womb of the universe." The entire universe is held within this golden womb.
Sit in front of the short end of the bolster with the tailbone touching it. Bring the soles of your feet together with knees bent in cobbler pose.
Place a pillow or rolled blanket under each thigh so that the legs and hips are totally supported. The thighs must be supported if you have knee problems. Even if you are supple and can open easily in cobbler, you need to support the weight of your legs. The sacral ligaments are quite vulnerable in this position and can be strained or injured. Remember the objective is to relax the belly and open the chest, not to stretch the inner thighs.
Use your arms for support as you lower the torso onto the bolster. Place a zafu under your head to support your head and neck. Make certain that your spine is comfortable and you are supporting the sacrum. You may need another zafu or a pillow to support the spine.
Pillows or a folded blanket may also be placed under each arm to enhance the feeling of letting go. This will also relieve any tension in the neck and arms and relax the shoulders. Make sure the head and neck are supported. The forehead should be higher than the breastbone, breastbone higher than pubic bone. The final position has your torso at a 45-degree angle to the floor.
A strap may be placed around the feet to prevent them from sliding away. Fasten the strap into a loop that will fit around the hips and feet when lying in the pose. Take the strap over your head and adjust it around the hips; then wrap the free side around the feet, soles together. This should simply hold the feet in place and allow them to relax without sliding away. Place an eye bag over your eyes and prepare to move into a deep state of relaxation.
Bring awareness into the breath and feel the flow of the breath as it enters the nostrils and moves deep into the chest, expanding into the belly. As you exhale, feel the whole body soften. Focus your awareness inside the body and feel the inner space grow with each breath. Rest into the vast spaciousness inside the body. Let the body-mind float on the breath as it moves in and out slowly, smoothly, evenly.