In the section titled Sampling Yoga Workouts for Fun, we briefly discussed the Hatha Yoga Happy Baby Pose and revealed how this yoga posture can actually make a yogi feel a contented baby’s sensations.
For a Content and Relaxed Existence
In Hatha Yoga, we have the Happy Baby Pose, or Ananda Balasana in Sanskrit (ananda = bliss, extreme happinness, bala = baby, asana = pose) to remind us as we perform it, that simple delights can be sufficient in giving us a relaxed and contented existence.
The Happy Baby Pose Sample:
Lie on your back and hug your knees right into your chest, imitating a very happy baby. This position should be familiar to anyone who has kids. Separate your knees and have each ankle straight over its respective knee, your shins should be perpendicular to the floor. Flex feet and hold on to them outside as you draw your knees downward. Roll from side to side from your sacrum and see if it feels good, but please, resist the urge to put your toes in your mouth (not that a few have attempted to do so, but the “happy baby” feeling that arose was just too good to pass up). After five breaths, stretch your legs and you’re good with your sample yoga workouts.
Qualities of the Happy Baby Pose
The Happy Baby Pose clearly assumes the body contours of a baby at play, amusing itself and finding contentment on its own volition.
Adults can often be complicated, difficult to understand and hard-pressed in giving understanding to others. A baby in contrast does not have the complexities associated with a grown-up. A baby does not mind if it does not have a brand new car as the neighbors do, a baby does not care if others are prettier, stronger, or wealthier than him or her.
In other words, a baby can appreciate simple joys of life. The Happy Baby Pose personifies such contentment and transfers it to you, the yoga practitioner.
Here’s a Video Demonstration of the Happy Baby Pose
Benefits of the Happy Baby Pose
- Mental – this yoga pose soothes the mind, removing thoughts of despair and mental fatigue.
- Physical – this yoga pose is ideal for stretching the spine and inner groins, inducing an overall feeling of relaxation. “Happy hormones” such as endorphins (pain blocker), and the neurotransmitter serotonin which is responsible for making you feel relaxed and content, are released within the body through reiterations of the pose.
- Spiritual – this yoga pose aids in giving you a sense of deep contentment, making you less aggressive towards yourself and others.
Safety Alert
The Happy Baby Pose should not be attempted by pregnant women and those with spinal or neck injuries.
With the Happy Baby pose, you too can learn to better appreciate the simple joys that life has to offer and you have access to another 69 yoga poses when you subscribe to the MyFitnessNut.com Newsletter. Next, will do a short review of “Shavashana Yoga” and attempt to open up a world of possibilities.
