This posture is a staple of any yoga practice as a relaxation pose and a transition posture. Balasana stretches the broad muscles of the back and relieves lower back strain as well as being a very soothing posture. Assume childÕs pose whenever you feel a need to rest in any yoga flow; it is featured in all flows on Yogayak.com.
This posture is a staple of any yoga practice as a relaxation pose and a transition posture. Balasana stretches the broad muscles of the back and relieves lower back strain as well as being a very soothing posture. Assume childÕs pose whenever you feel a need to rest in any yoga flow; it is featured in all flows on Yogayak.com.
Benefits: calms the mind, relieves fatigue, headache, neck strain and stress, opens the mid,upper back, hips, stretches the knees, thighs, ankles and feet.
Drishti: eyes closed
Technique: kneel on your mat, keeping your knees close together drop your heels onto your buttocks, slowly bend forward, bringing your chest to rest on your thighs, your forehead resting on the floor; drape the arms beside the body, very relaxed, loosely wrapped around you, hands completely relaxed, let your fingers curl naturally; let the broad muscles of your back relax and let any stress roll out of the shoulders and through your arms, releasing from your fingertips, breathe deeply, let each exhale bring you deeper into relaxation
Modifications: you may widen your knees if you are pregnant or have limited flexibility, you may also slide a bolster between your knees and drape your body over the bolster for added relaxation, you can also place a folded blanket behind your knees if your buttocks don't quite reach your heels; if resting your forehead on the floor is uncomfortable, you may place your head on a folded blanket(s) to relieve any strain on your neck; for an extended stretch, place your arms in front of you, lengthening through the shoulders, be careful to keep your shoulder blades down your back; you may also stretch your arms between your knees, resting your head to one side.
Contraindications: if you are pregnant widen your knees and be careful not to place too much pressure on the abdomen. if you have a knee, hip or ankle injury use a blanket underneath your buttocks to support you in the pose or drape your body over a bolster.
Counterpose: None.
