Ananda balasana happy baby pose

ANANDA BALASANA HAPPY BABY POSE

Each asana and yoga pose hides in it a profound meaning and a physiognomy that is suitable for a specific purpose, then we also find asanas and poses that make us smile because they make us think of childhood like for example ANANDA BALASANA the happy baby pose, it is so called because it recalls a baby with his/her little feet on his/her face.

MEANING OF ANANDA BALASANA 
In sanskrit, Ananda means “happiness”, bala “baby” and asana “pose”, therefore Ananda Balasana can be literally translated as “Happy baby pose”.

HOW TO CARRY OUT ANANDA BALASANA

• Lie on the ground with your belly up, exhale and bend your knees, bringing your legs above your belly.
• Inhale and grab the outer part of the sole of your feet with your hands, putting your arms on the outside of your legs. The between your knees is slightly wider than the width of your chest, then if you can bring them in the direction of your arm pits.
• Bring your ankles directly above your knees, so that your calves are perpendicular to the ground.
• Gently bend your heels and keep the soles ofyour feet parallel to the ceiling.
• Push your feet slightly downwards with your hands.

At this point you are in the final position, breath slowly and relax for a few minutes.
To get out of the position, bring your knees together and put your legs on the ground.

BENEFITS ANANDA BALASANA

Ananda Balasana is not exactly a traditional pose but it is still practiced very much even by modern masters of hatha yoga.

It gives many benefits:

• Relaxs the muscles of the pelvic floor.
• Realigns the vertebral column.
• Gives a feeling of calmness and serenity.
• Massages the internal organs in the abdomen.
• Makes the joints more flexible.
• Lengthens delicately the muscles of the lumbar region of the back.
• Reduces muscular fatigue.
• Strengthens the muscles of arms and shoulders
• Opens the chest and improves posture.
• Reduces physical or psychological stress.
• Induces sleep.

PRECAUTIONS FOR ANANDA BALASANA

Despite being a fun pose it must be performed with caution by who has problems in the joints of the knees, ankles and hips.
We must be careful also during pregnancy to prevent muscular sprains or at the level of the ligaments. During the nine months in fact hormones are produced (including relaxin) that make muscles and ligaments more delicate.

If you want to deepen and start with the basics of yoga take a look at our ebook yoga for everyone