Child’s Pose or Balasana, is one of the most fundamental and restorative postures in yoga, and it can be done by anyone regardless of their level.
There are many benefits of Child’s pose for both beginners and advanced practitioners alike, such as relieving stress, calming the mind, improving digestion, aiding relaxation and stretching out tight muscles.
By incorporating this asana into your practice you can reap all these amazing benefits while also gaining a deeper understanding of how to use yoga to heal and restore balance in your life.
So read on to discover more about this incredible posture!
Benefits of Child’s Pose
1. Relieves stress
One of the key benefits of Child’s Pose is its ability to help relieve stress and bring the mind, body, and spirit back into balance.
This posture helps to relax both the body and the mind, allowing for deeper relaxation that can help reduce tension and stress levels in the body.
When practicing, it is important to be mindful of your breath as this can help to further relax the body and reduce stress levels.
2. Improves digestion
Child’s pose is known to be beneficial for digestion due to the way it helps relax the entire body and reduce tension.
When practicing, focus on breathing deeply into the abdomen and allowing the breath to move through your entire body.
This deep breathing helps to relax both the abdominal muscles and the digestive organs, which can help stimulate digestion.
Additionally, it helps to reduce anxiety which can be beneficial for those who experience digestive issues due to stress.
3. Stretches tight muscles
Child’s Pose is excellent for stretching out tight muscles, especially in the back, neck, and legs.
The gentle stretch helps to release tension and relax the body while also increasing flexibility in the spine and hips.
As you practice, focus on lengthening your spine and keeping your chest open while relaxing into the pose.
This will help to further stretch out tight muscles and bring your body into balance.
4. Boosts energy
Child’s Pose is also excellent for boosting energy levels in the body.
When practicing this posture, the breath helps to stimulate circulation and oxygenation of the blood which can help energize both the mind and body.
5. Reduces fatigue
Child’s Pose is great for reducing fatigue as it helps to relax the body and reduce tension.
This posture has a direct impact on the nervous system, calming it and allowing for deeper relaxation that can help reduce fatigue.
6. Aids relaxation
One of the renowned benefits of Child’s Pose is it can aid relaxation, as it helps to calm both the mind and body.
By focusing on your breath while in this pose, you can further relax and let go of any tension or stress held in the body.
This can help to promote a feeling of peace and tranquility that can be incredibly beneficial to your daily life.
7. Helps to promote mental clarity
Child’s Pose helps to promote mental clarity by allowing the mind to be still and focus on the present moment.
By focusing on your breath and taking a few moments for yourself in this posture, you can help to clear away any mental fog that may be clouding your judgment or thoughts.
This can help to bring a sense of clarity and peace to the mind, allowing you to make clearer decisions.
Additionally, it can help to create a sense of mental balance that can be beneficial for your overall well-being.
8. Improves posture
Child’s Pose can also be beneficial for improving posture. This posture helps to stretch and open the spine, increasing flexibility and helping to promote proper alignment of the body.
When practicing, focus on keeping your back straight and engaging your core muscles in order to further support the spine.
This will help to create a foundation for better posture and can help to relieve pain associated with poor alignment.
9. Relieves back pain, neck tension, and headaches
Child’s Pose is beneficial for relieving back pain, neck tension, and headaches.
The gentle stretching of the spine helps to release any built-up tension while also promoting proper alignment in the body.
This helps to relieve pressure on the spine that can cause pain and discomfort.
Additionally, the relaxing nature of this asana helps to reduce stress and tension in the body, which can also help alleviate neck tension and headaches.
How to Do Child’s Pose? (Step-By-Step)
Step 1:
Begin by kneeling on the floor.
Step 2:
Sit back onto your heels and reach your arms out in front of you with your palms facing down.
Step 3:
Slowly start to lower your torso down until it is resting between your thighs or over your shins, whichever is more comfortable for you.
Step 4:
Make sure your arms and hands are resting on the floor with your forehead coming to rest against the mat.
Step 5:
Gently close your eyes and let your body relax into the pose.
Step 6:
Stay in this pose for anywhere from 30 seconds to several minutes, breathing deeply and focusing on letting go of any tension or stress in the body.
Step 7:
When you are ready, slowly come out of the posture by pushing up with your hands and returning to a seated position.
Tips for Beginners
Tip #1:
Make sure to keep your back as straight as possible and avoid rounding the spine.
Tip #2:
If you are having difficulty sitting on your heels, try placing a blanket or pillow between them for extra support.
Tip #3:
Take some time in this pose to focus on your breath and notice how it starts to become slower and deeper.
Tip #4:
If you’re feeling particularly stressed, try gently rocking side to side for extra relaxation.
Final Thoughs on the Benefits of Child’s Pose
Child’s Pose is a great posture to include in your regular yoga practice.
Not only does it help relieve stress and improve digestion, but it also stretches tight muscles and boosts energy levels.
Practice safe alignment and breath when doing this posture and you will soon start to feel the the benefits of Child’s Pose.
So make sure to take some time out of your day to practice this classic yoga posture!