Return to Innocence: Embracing the Nurturing Comfort of Balasana (Child’s Pose)

Child's Pose, or Balasana, is a gentle yet powerful yoga posture that offers a sanctuary of comfort and nurturance for practitioners of all levels.

Rooted in the wisdom of simplicity and surrender, Child's Pose invites us to return to a state of innocence, vulnerability, and trust, allowing us to find refuge in the embrace of the earth and the sanctuary of our own bodies.

So, if you are feeling like you could do with a little more softness and ease in life, join me to explore the restorative qualities and profound benefits of Child's Pose.

The Essence of Child's Pose

In Child's Pose, the practitioner kneels on the mat with the knees wide apart and the big toes touching behind. The torso folds forward, allowing the forehead to rest on the mat. The arms extend forward and the palms rest on the ground.

This gentle folding of the body resembles the fetal position, symbolising a return to the nurturing embrace of the womb and inviting in a deep sense of safety, security, and surrender.

Benefits of Child's Pose

There are great benefits assoicated with the Child's Pose. 

Relief of Tension & Stress

Child's Pose provides a gentle stretch for the spine, hips, and thighs, releasing tension and tightness accumulated throughout the day.

The pose helps soothe the nervous system, reduce cortisol levels, and promote relaxation, making it an effective antidote to stress and anxiety.

Supports Digestive Health

The gentle compression of the abdomen in Child's Pose can stimulate digestion and promote healthy bowel function.

The pose can help alleviate symptoms of bloating, indigestion, and constipation, while also calming the mind and fostering a sense of inner peace.

Restores Energy & Vitality

Child's Pose offers a space for rest and rejuvenation, allowing practitioners to replenish their energy reserves and cultivate a sense of inner calm and balance.

The pose encourages deep, diaphragmatic breathing, which oxygenates the body, increases circulation, and revitalises the spirit.

Promotes Emotional Release

Child's Pose provides a safe container for emotional processing and release, allowing practitioners to surrender to the present moment and let go of any tension or stress held within the body. The pose invites a sense of vulnerability and acceptance, fostering self-compassion and emotional healing.

Cultivates Mindfulness & Presence

In Child's Pose, practitioners are encouraged to turn inward and cultivate mindful awareness of the present moment. The pose invites a deepening of the breath, a softening of the gaze, and a surrender of doing, allowing practitioners to connect with the inner landscape and just rest right here and now.

Practising Child's Pose

Preparation: Begin by kneeling on the mat with your knees hip-width apart and your big toes touching behind. Sit back on your heels and take a moment to find a comfortable and stable position.

Forward Fold: On an exhalation, hinge at the hips and lower your torso down, bringing your forehead to rest on the mat. Extend your arms forward, palms facing down, and allow your chest to melt into the ground.

Adjustments: If the forehead does not reach the ground, you can place a block or folded blanket beneath it for support. You can also bring your knees closer together or widen them further apart to find a comfortable variation of the pose.

Relaxation: Close your eyes and soften your jaw, allowing your entire body to surrender to gravity. Take slow, deep breaths, even feeling that breath expand through the back of your body. Experience the gentle expansion with each inhale and the softening of the hips with each exhale.

Stay & Surrender: Remain in Child's Pose for 5-10 breaths, or longer if desired, allowing yourself to fully surrender to the pose and the present moment. Release any tension or resistance, and simply be with whatever arises with an open heart and mind.

Release: To come out of Child's Pose, gently press into your palms and slowly lift your torso back up, stacking each vertebra one at a time. Sit back on your heels and take a moment to notice the effects of the pose on your body and mind.

Child's Pose is a gentle reminder that within each of us lies an innate capacity for surrender, trust, and renewal and as we embrace the nurturing comfort of Child's Pose on the mat, we start to be able to carry its essence of innocence, vulnerability, and trust into every aspect of our lives.

And if you are interested in learning more, take advantage of our 7 day free trial to visit the Asana Lab on Sattva Connect. Your Support to an Awakened Life!