Challenging Child Pose
The Challenging Child Pose brings our breath to its edge by drawing the diaphragm down and lungs up. It teaches us to lift and lengthen up and out. Not just the lungs are affected but this pose also encourages the spine to lengthen and ankles to open. It is quite a pose to explore but please make yourself comfortable while exploring its nuances.
If someone is in recovery this pose teaches patience, to be open and not its judge but to simply let go. Great pose.
Benefits
- Increases lymph circulation to the pectoral region
- Lengthens spine to a natural alignment
- Stretches shoulders and lattisima dorse (major back muscles)
- Relaxes entire spine, sacrum and lumbar
- Increases range of motion in the shoulder girdle
- Broadens hips, opens tops of ankles and helps to align knees
- Precaution
- Shoulder injuries/rotator cuff and knee pain
Instructions
- Begin seated on your heels or use a folded blanket in between heels and hips. A blanket can also be placed under knees/ankles if uncomfortable.
- Bolsters in front and block to rest head on.
- Roll up a blanket or partially folded yoga mat and place in the crease of your hip and lower belly.
- INHALE, lengthen up.
- EXHALE, hinge forward and bring hands out in front around or underneath the prop. Then begin to either extend arms out onto forearms or cross arms underneath.
- If tightness is felt in the mid or lower spine come up onto hands until you begin to feel a release in the spine. Place forehead on the block.
- Stay and breathe into the entire spine. Enjoy the release and lengthening.
- INHALE, come back up.
To experience the benefits of yoga, it is essential that you begin with simple, gentle yoga movements. It is also necessary that you follow a yogic diet that consists of a mainly vegetarian diet to enhance the benefits of yoga.
