Balasana : Child’s Pose

Child’s Pose — Balasana (bah-LAHS-uh-nuh) — is a common beginner’s yoga pose. It is often used as a resting position in between more difficult poses during a yoga practice. The word "Balasana" comes from the Sanskrit words "bala" (meaning "child") and "asana" (meaning "pose").

Balasana : Child Pose - Detailed Description

"As inumerable cups full of water, many reflections of the sun are seen, but the sun is the same; similarly individuals, like cups, are inumerable, but spirit, like the sun, is one." The Shiva-samhita I.35 II.42-43."

Steps:

1. Sit on your knees with your feet together and buttocks resting on your heels.
2. Separate your knees about the width of your hips. Place your hands on your thighs, palms down. (This is the vajra-asana or Thunderbolt Pose).
3. Inhale deeply, then exhale as you bring your chest between your knees while swinging your arms forward.
4. Place the soles of the feet together, clasp the hands over the feet interlocking the fingers pulling the feet closer and placing the heels against the perineum. The outer edge and small toe of each foot should touch the floor.
5. Breath gently through your nostrils as you hold the posture. Hold for about one to two minutes. Then return to an upright kneeling position with your back straight and your hands on your thighs.
6. Repeat the posture at least one more time.

Benefits:

• The bala-asana gently stretches and relaxes the shoulders, neck, back muscles and thighs
• This posture gives a nice stretch to the hips and back muscles while it is at the same time simply relaxing your whole body. Your mind can relax with this focus to the inside.
• People suffering from hyperactivity can learn to use this exercise as an anchor, a pose from which to find back to peace and focus. Also bipolar conditions can be helped by performing the child’s pose.
• With its many benefits Balasana is a posture that is loved by kids and seniors alike. With the forward bend and the complete relaxation in the posture it is a perfect pose for reducing high blood pressure.

Tips and Help:

• If you cannot place your forehead on the floor, you can use a cushion or a pillow under your forehead to let it relax. It is a pose that can be done whenever you are stressed or tired. If you integrate it into your yoga practice, it is the perfect yoga pose to do to relax in between the poses.