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Happy Baby Pose (Ananda Balasana) Steps, Benefits & Contraindications
Happy Baby Pose, also called Anand Balasana (आनंद बालासन – Ananda Balasana In Hindi), is one of the easiest Yoga Poses in Yoga that stretches the hamstrings and helps in maintaining vitality and good health of the body. It is one of the beginner levels poses that also stretches the hips, groins, chest and shoulder areas. Practice of this asana will help release the tension from the lower back area. This Yoga Pose also helps lengthen the spine.
Happy Baby Pose Steps
- Spread a yoga mat and lie down in the supine position on it.
- Exhale, bend both your knees and bring them up towards and close to your chest.
- Bring the arms through the insides of the knees and hold on to the outside edge of each foot with each hand.
- Spread your knees hip-width apart and bring the knees up close to your armpits.
- If uncomfortable, you can reduce the distance between your knees.
- Keep each your ankle directly over the knees so that shins become perpendicular to the floor.
- Press your shoulders and the back of the neck down into the floor, trying to get your back and whole spine flat to the floor.
- Keep on breathing normally and hold the pose for some time until you are comfortable.
- To release the pose, exhale and bring the arms and legs back to the floor.
Happy Baby Pose Benefits
- The Happy Baby Pose is an excellent hip opener. It reduces the tension and stress stored in the hip area.
- Anand Balasana exercises your back muscles and the muscles surrounding the spine.
- This yoga pose massages the stomach thus improving the digestion by stimulating your digestive system.
- Regular practice of this asana reduces the stiffness in your lower back and hips, thereby relieving back pain.
- Anand Balasana promotes calmness and relaxation.
- It provides relief from your daily life troubles and fills in you childlike positive energy which reduces anxiety and rejuvenates your mind.
Happy Baby Pose Contraindications
- You should avoid this asana if you have a knee or ankle injury.
- If you have tight hips, then also you should not practice this yoga pose.
- Even if you are suffering from neck or shoulder injury, you can give this pose a miss.
Happy Baby Pose Beginner’s Tip
For the beginners, if you can’t easily hold your feet with your hands, try holding each foot with a yoga strap looped around the middle arch.
Whenever tired of the busy and stressful schedule, sink into the Ananda Balasana, and open yourself to the innocent, pure, and fascinating world around. Enjoy the calmness and relaxation so achieved.
Happy Baby Pose Pregnancy
Happy Baby Pose is one of the Yoga Poses that were commonly thought to be risky for expectant mothers in their third trimester — but now can be safe for both mom and fetus, as has been found in a study published in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology.
