Restorative
Child's Pose
balasana
About the Pose
Child's Pose is a gentle and calming resting posture. It involves kneeling on the floor and folding the torso forward, with the forehead resting on the ground. It is a pose of surrender, introspection, and deep release, allowing the nervous system to quiet down and the back to lengthen.
How to Practice
- Start in a kneeling position. You can keep your knees together or take them wide apart.
- Exhale and fold your torso forward, resting it between or on top of your thighs.
- Rest your forehead on the mat. If it doesn't reach, use a block or cushion for support.
- You can either stretch your arms forward with palms down, or rest them alongside your body with palms facing up.
- Breathe deeply into your back body, feeling your ribs expand with each inhale.
Purpose & Benefits
- Stress Relief: Calms the brain and helps to relieve stress, anxiety, and fatigue.
- Gentle Stretch: Stretches the hips, thighs, ankles, and spine.
- Relieves Back Pain: Gently releases tension in the lower back and neck.
- Promotes Grounding: Fosters a sense of safety, grounding, and turning inward.