Yoga: Child’s Pose

14.11.2019

“The moment of surrender is not when life is over. It’s when it begins.” Marianne Williamson

I love a restorative posture, especially so when the days are getting colder, nights getting darker and cosier and I want to extend that feeling of ‘hygge’ from my external surroundings to my inner-self.

My mantra for November is “I surrender” and Childs Pose (Balasana) is a nourishing, restful posture that allows us to surrender to gravity, surrender into our body, and meditatively surrender to something greater than ourselves.

Whether used between postures as a welcome rest pose, or as an indulgent practice on it’s own, Balasana offers an opportunity for us to slow down, still our minds and reconnect.

From tabletop position (all fours), inhale, sitting back towards the heels
Exhale, lengthening through the spine, walking the hands straight in front of you towards the front of the mat
Rest the palms and the forehead onto the mat
Nestle your belly between your thighs, extending the tailbone towards the back of the mat
Turn your focus inwards and breathe slowly and deeply, feeling the belly rise and fall against the thighs
Repeat the affirmation “I surrender” with every exhale and sink a little deeper into the mat

Variations:

Place your arms down by your sides, palms facing upwards next to your feet.
Take your knees as wide as the mat, toes together for a wide-legged childs pose

Child’s Pose is most effective when you are completely comfortable. Try the following modifications to soothe any discomfort:

Place your head on a block or bolster
Use a blanket under or behind the knees
Place a cushion or blanket between your bum and heels
Take a wide-legged child’s pose, place a bolster lengthways between the legs and lie over it

More Love Child’s Pose affirmation:

“I surrender”

Love the benefits of Child’s Pose

Deeply restorative and calming
Resting belly on thighs stimulates the digestive system
Opens, elongates and strengthens the lower back
Massaging the third eye (between eyebrows) on the mat instantly soothes and sends a message to the nervous system that you are safe
Wide-legged child’s pose brings release to the hips
Relaxes tension in neck, shoulders and hips