Urvashi Swami
By Urvashi Swami
Ever noticed how instantly your mind feels relaxed as you rest your head down and close your eyes? That release is the feeling of coming home to yourself. That’s what balasana, or child’s pose, gives you. As you press your hips down towards your heels to elongate the back and rest your head down, you get the feeling of returning to safety. Your back finally gets the stretch it deserves, and your mind gets the sense of calm it craves. The asana lets you become mentally free like a child.
Santosha (self-acceptance) is a yogic philosophy that focuses on finding happiness with your present self. It helps you become aware of your strengths and limitations and accept them. Accepting your strengths builds your self-worth, and accepting your weaknesses finds solutions. The more you run away from yourself, the more dissatisfied you will be. In a world that runs on external validation, yoga offers a pause to meet and appreciate yourself.
Balasana gives you a moment to sit with yourself and have a dialogue with your body and mind. You stay present by following the rhythmic movements of your back as it moves with your inhale and exhale. When the day feels like too much, come to balasana — just to breathe.
To get into the asana:
Sit on your knees, big toes touching, heels falling out to either side.
Knees together or wide, depending on your comfort.
Press your hips back toward your heels.
Inhale, arms stretching up, fill yourself up completely.
Exhale, arms reaching forward to the mat. Keep a soft bend in your elbows.
Lower your hips, lengthen your back, soften your neck, let your forehead rest on the ground. Keeping your back long is important.
Props like a yoga block or cushion can be used
Stay for 5 long, deep breaths.
What does the asana do to your body and mind?
Releases lower back pain and counteracts long periods of sitting
Stretches deep muscles in your thighs and hips to promote lower body mobility
For postpartum mothers, it reduces tightness in shoulders and neck due to breastfeeding
Activates the parasympathetic nervous system: rest and digest mode
Promotes mind-body connection to stay in the present moment
Urvashi Swami is a 200-hour certified yoga facilitator specializing in postpartum and functional yoga. She works independently and can be reached at yogawithu24@gmail.com or IG: @urvashi_yoga.
