25-Jan-2012

Babies' Breath

Relax into Child's Pose

It’s a natural thing to breathe like a newborn…from your very first breath, you knew the proper way to inhale and exhale from your abdomen. Just watch an infant! To regain the deep, natural breathing of a child (that we lose as we “unlearn” the proper way to breathe), do Baby or Child’s Pose. This posture is deeply relaxing, opening you up to your subtle energies by stimulating your third eye (pituitary gland) and relaxing your spine for greater flexibility and energy flow.

Sit on your heels, exhale as you bend forward and place your forehead on the floor, arms by the sides, palms up. If you need, support your forehead with a pillow or blanket. Calm your mind, relax and just breathe. You may experience claustrophobia, nausea or fear at first; as you unwind and expand, those feelings will lessen. You will create more space in your belly as your organs get toned and more flexible. Develop a calm mind and deeper meditative practice with Baby Pose—go ahead and baby yourself!

Recommended: Yoga Body – The Origins of Modern Posture Practice by Mark Singleton and Music For Slow Flow Yoga, Vol. 1 by Gabrielle Roth