Balasana | Child's Pose

Are you needing a break? Feeling tired? Why not start adding in this beautiful restful asana to your day. Balasana-a-day anyone?

This pose can instantly allow you to rest and relax, here's some great benefits of this pose:

* Stretches the spine and hips

* Massages the internal organs, supporting functionality

* Physically we fold towards ourselves, therefore we turn our focus inward

* Calms the nervous system, which can help to reduce stress, anxiety and depression

* Energetically it is a place of rest and rejuvenation

I personally love the comforting stretch if provides for my spine and how you can almost feel your body sigh "ahhhhh....." as you release into this asana. Don't just take my word for it, give it a go.

How to get into Balasana - Child's Pose

* Start on all fours, hands and knees

* Slowly start to take your knees a little wider than your hips as your toes draw in together

* Start to send your hips back over your feet

* Allow your tailbone to sink to your heels as you extend the crown of the head away from your spine as the forehead comes to rest onto your yoga mat

* Extend and slide your arms forward to deepen the stretch into your spine, but keep your shoulders moving away from the neck

* Then allow your chest / heart space to soften to the earth, nestle into the pose and rest

* Stay here for 6-10 rounds of breath

If the back, hips or shoulders feel tight here, then always seek out some props to keep yourself comfortable. Blocks, bolsters or blankets are great to use if you are new to yoga, or you're recovering from injury. If you don't have these at home, pillows, cushions or even rolled up towels are really useful.

I hope you all enjoy this powerful yet gentle asana!