Yoga Pose of the Week – Child’s Pose

In our final installment of Yoga with Neelam, Neelam will guide us through a restorative posture this week. This pose can be done anytime during the practise if you feel you need a break to catch your breath. It is extremely soothing during times of stress or restlessness. Neelam details the variations of this posture so you can identify the position that feels the most restful to your body.  Neelam Saney owns and runs “Yoga with Neelam” where she teaches private and group classes, specializing in improving flexibility, postural corrections, weight loss and muscle toning.

This week the chosen pose is…Balasana… also known as Child’s pose!

In yoga is it essential that you respect and listen to your body. Allow the practise to be for yourself rather than to keep up with a class at large. If you feel exhausted or dizzy during the practise, child’s pose is great to rest in and it helps to renew your energy. If you have delicate ankles or knees sit on a block or place your feet on a cushion to provide more support.

To set up the pose, bring your feet and knees together and sit your hips on your heels. If the front of your feet feel too much pressure, tuck your toes under on to the mat. Rest your abdomen on the top of your thighs and place your head on the floor. If your back is too rounded in this position, keeping your feet together, separate your knees to the width of your mat, lengthening your back further in this pose. You may feel a slight stretch around your inner thighs. If this is the case, bring your knees close together. You can also use your own discretion to either stretch your hands in front of your towards the top of your mat but if this is a strain to your shoulders allow your hands to rest by the sides of your body with your palms facing up to the ceiling. Try the different variations of this pose to find the position you feel most comfortable in.

Breathing techniques help to reap the benefits of this pose, focusing on deep inhalations and gentle exhalations. Try to breathe out for twice as long as you inhale for. The ideal restorative breathing ratio is 2:1 (exhalations: inhalations); breathe in for 4 counts and breathe out for 8 counts. Abdominal breaths help you to breathe fuller, as you inhale feel your abdomen inflating out and as you exhale draw your core to the back of your body to empty any stagnant air out of lungs.

‘Yoga with Neelam’ is hosting new group classes in Central, simply quote this article to enjoy a free trial class! Neelam will teach Hatha Yoga at a beginner’s level in a small group class setting to ensure everyone gets her personal care and attention. Offering lunchtime classes on Mondays and Fridays from12:30pm to 1:30pm and evening classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:00pm to 8:00pm. The classes will be held at 8/F Winning Centre, 46-48 Wyndham Street, Central. Be sure to schedule your class beforehand, simply email [email protected] or call 91673376.