There are a lot of yoga poses out there that require strength and balance, but sometimes your body just needs to relax and allow your mind to follow. I am a big fan of Child’s Pose (Balasana) as part of my restorative practice. When done correctly it is both restful and productive, opening up the lower back and lungs. In this video I explain some of the benefits of this pose and demonstrate the proper body positioning. I also offer some modifications to Child’s Pose using blankets and blocks as props to help place the body in proper position while relieving stress from areas of the body that might be injured or causing discomfort.
Child’s Pose should be relaxing and enable you to comfortably take full breaths, in and out through the nose, while in the pose. If you have trouble taking a full breath you should assess your positioning and make sure that your back is not rounded over, compressing your internal organs against the diaphragm. This is where the use of props such as blankets or blocks can be beneficial. Use them to create a platform to rest your bottom and forehead on, bringing your back closer to horizontal and reducing the inner pressure on your diaphragm. The use of props can also help establish a firm foundation so you can fully settle in to the pose.
I’d love to hear how you incorporate Child’s Pose into your practice. Leave a comment at the bottom of this page or use the contact form to send me a note. And don’t forget to sign up for my email list using the button below. Until next time, #MakeItCount