By Balasana or the child’s pose is a beneficial yoga posture, the resting state of the body that stretches the various parts of the body. It stretches the hips, the back, the ankles and thighs while it also allows you to reconnect with your breath.
Balasana is practiced mainly at the end of a particular power yoga session for the fact that it rests the body. The position is just like a dog facing downward and is perfect to be practiced after a fast-paced vinyasa.
Learn how to use the pose and listen to your inner self; balasana is perfect for reflecting inwards. It is the body that tells you when to rest and practice Balasana. Let us see the steps to doing it.
Steps to do Balasana
The following are the steps for doing Balasana:
- First sit either on the mat or on the floor on your heels.
- You can keep the knees either separated or in joint position.
- Now bring the belly in between the thighs while allowing your forehead to rest on the floor.
- When you take this position, allow your jaws, eyes and shoulders to relax.
- You must allow your forehead to comfortably touch the floor or root to the ground.
- When it comes to the arms, there are several arm variations where you may put the arms forward towards the floor or take it backwards along the thighs with your palms facing the floor.
- You may do whatever you feel comfortable with. Hold the position for at least 45 seconds and control the inhaling and exhaling.
- While inhaling, draw the navel towards the spine and while exhaling, allow your body and atoms to relax.
- Repeating the technique for 4-12 breaths is crucial to have its benefits.
All throughout the child pose, your neck must remain neutral and shouldn’t bend. Apart from this, you may do variations like keeping the knees together and not parting them. Similarly, you may also take a towel and keep below the shins in order to take the stress away from the ankles.
Precautions
If you had a knee injury, you should avoid doing Balasana. Pregnant women must avoid taking the belly between their thighs.
Health Benefits of Balasana
- Balasana stretches your spine and the lower part of the body including your ankles
- It makes you aware of your own body and the awareness of your breath. Indeed, it teaches you to breathe more efficiently
- It completely massages your internal organs
- Regular practice of Balasana can reduce headache and cure migraines. The yoga pose wonderfully improves blood circulation
- This asana calms your body and mind and invites a peaceful state
- It curbs anxiety and invites good sleep
- If you are suffering from restless leg syndrome, you must practice the child’s pose.
- Balasana cures insomnia while relaxing the shoulder and neck muscles.
Balasana is beneficial for children for it strengthens and stretches hip muscles, ankles and thigh muscles. It relieves anxiety, stress and energizes you. If you have back pain, balasana can give relief.
