Ananda Balasana
The name Ananda Balasana is derived from the Sanskrit words ‘ananda’ meaning happiness, ‘bala’ meaning child and ‘asana’ meaning posture.
Instructions: Lie flat on your back. Inhale and lift your legs up, bringing both your knees above the chest close to the armpits. The ankles should be vertically stacked above the knees. Grasp your toes by stretching out your arms from the inner side of the legs. Gently nudge your hips apart and widen your legs to deepen the stretch along the inner thighs. Ensure that you press the torso, tailbone, sacrum, neck, head and shoulders down on the floor. Breathe calmly, consciously observing the inhalation and exhalation as you hold the pose. Stay in the pose for a minute. Exhale and release your arms and legs and bring them down without a jerk.
Benefits :
- It gives a good stretch to the groin, inner thighs and the hamstrings.
- It opens the hip and releases the tension in the spine.
- It gently massages the digestive system.
- It provides relief from anxiety and stress.
Caution:
- Should be avoided by persons suffering from a neck or knee injury.
- Should be avoided by women during pregnancy and menstruation.
- Should be avoided by persons with high blood pressure.
