| Pose of the Month: Child's Pose (Balasana) |
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| Clara Simper | |||
| Thursday, 01 December 2005 | |||
Child's Pose is so named because it resembles the position we often see young children sleeping in. It is a comforting pose and encourages a sense of nurturing and security. While in the pose, observe your breath; normally we are aware of our breath in our front body but rarely in our back body. With your ribcage pressing on your thighs, it is easier to become aware of the breath in the back body. Breathing slowly, examine what happens in your lower back as you exhale through the surface of your back. Child's pose is beneficial for stretching the lower back muscles; it also stretches the hips, thighs and ankles. The pose massages the abdominal organs and some women find it helps in alleviating menstrual cramps. It can slow the nervous system, and thereby diminish stress and fatigue. Hold this pose for at least 30 seconds or as long as is necessary to restore your energy levels. To come out of the pose, place your hands underneath your shoulders and push your torso up with an inhalation. Sit on your heels again. If you have chronic problems with your knees, practice this pose with caution. If it is uncomfortable to sit on your heels while in child's pose, place a blanket between your heels and buttocks. Ensure the blanket is not too bulky otherwise your weight will shift forward onto your forehead. Let your weight be evenly distributed from your head to your toes. If your head does not touch the floor, place a blanket under your forehead. This pose is such a restful pose, it is complete as itself. It is sequenced often amongst challenging poses as a respite or after forward bends to relieve the lower back. Child's Pose occasions a lovely partner exercise which you can enlist anyone to do with you even if yoga isn't their thing; I guarantee they'll love it! One of you comes into child pose while the other stands behind you, bends forward with knees bent and applies pressure with their hands to the other's back. They gently press the lower back down and upper back forward, which lengthens and softens the spine. You won't want to switch over! Child's pose is a particularly appropriate pose for this restful time of year as it takes us on a journey, inward bound. It enhances introspection and generates a feeling of release as it calms the mind. Wherever you are during the holiday period, take time just for you. Escape from being surrounded by your family, your partner, and maybe even runaway from yourself and your continuous chatter; quieten your mind and soften as you let go to the earth in child's pose. Namaste
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