This is a photo (taken yesterday) of my friend's grandson. The beautiful little boy is almost 6 months old and already doing his first yoga pose. It's 'happy baby' pose (ananda balasana in Sanskrit). His pleasure at doing the pose shows how natural and how pleasant it is for the body to do yoga. Here are some benefits of happy baby pose:
How to do it. (Keep in mind that it's usually much easier for a flexible baby than it is for us adults whose bodies have tightened up with time.)
1. Lie down on your back;
2. Support your head (if you like) with a pillow or folded blanket;
3. Bend your knees and bring them up towards the stomach;
4. Have the soles of your feet face up toward the ceiling;
5. Spread the legs at least hip distance apart;
6. Reach up and to hold the inside or outside edges of your feet.
7. If you can't quite reach the feet, hold a belt or yoga strap around both feet.
- relaxes and stretches muscles of the hip, groin, and lower back area;
- opens the hips;
- releases the sacrum;
- massages the stomach and digestive system;
- stimulates the kidneys;
- triggers the 2nd chakra (sacral) which improves the sense of well begin and positivity;
- awakens the inner child and our 'happy' place
- generates joy.
How to do it. (Keep in mind that it's usually much easier for a flexible baby than it is for us adults whose bodies have tightened up with time.)
1. Lie down on your back;
2. Support your head (if you like) with a pillow or folded blanket;
3. Bend your knees and bring them up towards the stomach;
4. Have the soles of your feet face up toward the ceiling;
5. Spread the legs at least hip distance apart;
6. Reach up and to hold the inside or outside edges of your feet.
7. If you can't quite reach the feet, hold a belt or yoga strap around both feet.
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