Hatha Yoga
CHILD’S POSE – BALASANA – Relaxing in a forward bend
This pose stretches the back and muscles around the hips. The pose can be performed after back bends such as the cobra and locust where the muscles have been tightly contracted or after the headstand or half spinal twist.
Begin from sitting on the heels and leaning forward until the forehead comes to rest on the floor. Extend arms in front palms down on the mat stretching the back forward away from the hips. Drop the hips down and ease them back towards the heels. Then lay the arms back alongside the body with hands beside the feet and palms upwards on the mat. Relax the arms. If it is difficult to sit on the heels and the forehead does not reach the floor, (as in pregnancy) , then keep the knees apart with big toes towards each other. Fold arms in front of you on the mat with hands one on top of the other and rest the forehead on the folded arms. Take at least 8 deep rhythmical breaths before the next asana.
BENEFITS:
Stretches out the spine gently and soothes the back muscles.
Relaxes spinal ligaments
Spinal stretching invigorates the nervous system
Relieves compression of lumbar intervertebral discs
Relaxes the head and shoulders.
Eases the muscles around the hips.
Brings flow of blood to the brain, rejuvenating.
I am childlike in my Swabhava. So I mix with all. I become one with all. I am ever happy and joyful and make others also happy and joyful. I am full of educative humour. I radiate joy though humour. – Swami Sivananda
We should not confuse relaxation with laziness. In infancy the child relaxes naturally, some adults possess this power of relaxation. Such persons are noted for their endurance, strength, vigour and vitality. – Swami Vishnudevananda
This yoga asana is an edited contribution for the Sivananda Gurugram partly sourced and edited from the Sivananda Publication : “Yoga: Your Home Practice Companion” – Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre – 2010.
This body is meant for the good of others. Righteousness is the support of the entire world. – Sri Swami Sivananda
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| MAY 2017
06 Ekadasi JUNE 2017 05 Ekadasi. |
Glossary
PRANAVA UPASANA:
Pranava: Om; the original Word.
Upasana: Sitting near; worship or contemplation; devout meditation; to go closer to God.
Pranava Upasana is also known by the name Nirguna Dhyana, meditation on Om, Jnana Yoga or Brahma Upasana.
Panava Upasana is the classical method of meditation outlined in the Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita and the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. It is also called Aum yoga and Aum yoga meditation. The fixing of the mind on the sound of the mantra “Aum” – the sacred syllable that both symbolizes and embodies Brahman, the Absolute Reality. The mantra is constantly repeated in unison with the breath.
To lead the life of goodness is to lead the life of all. – Sri Swami Sivananda