Yoganatomy: Find Your Inner Child’s Pose

 Bālāsana

Think of this pose as the fetal position of yoga postures. Child’s pose is useful at any point during your practice or day when a break is needed.

Start on your hands and knees. Bring your feet together and keep your knees hipwidth apart. Sit your hips back toward your heels. Extend your arms out in front.  Relax fully into the posture. Focus on your breathing, relaxing and releasing a bit more with each exhale.

Modifications:  Separate your knees wider or keep your hips lifted if either make the pose more accessible. Arms can also rest by the sides of your legs to relax the shoulders.

This post is useful in relieving tension in the back, shoulders, neck, hips and thighs.

Katy Henderson: Katy is the founder of the Studio South Yoga in Williamsburg, Virginia. Her studio is a non-judgmental, welcoming space where everyone is encouraged to participate. Her driving force is to share all the wonderful aspects of yoga with the world.