Ananda Balasana: Happy Baby Pose
Ananda balasana (ah-NAHN-duh bah-LAHS-ah-nah) stretches the inner groin, hamstrings, and lower back. Invite the attitude of a joyful baby with this pose!
Philosophy and Origin:
Dasharatha, the King of Ayodhya, was a famous warrior and a protector of dharma (life purpose). He had three wives and no children. He longed for an heir, and Mother Earth was seeking a protector to save her bounty from unscrupulous and devious desires. Tradition teaches that as the wick of dharma burns low, Vishnu the preserver uses birth to set things right again. Mother Earth’s call meant that Vishnu would return.
After performing a sacrifice that yielded a golden milk pudding, the king was instructed to share this bounty with his wives with the promise of fertility and children. Each of his wives became pregnant and would give birth to all of his children. It is often thought that the divine is born into each person on a regular basis and unexpectedly, and we can understand this story as an allegory of how we treat our minds and bodies: avatars and other deities represent potentials waiting to be realized.
Sanskrit:
- Ananda: blissful, pure bliss
- Bala: baby
- Asana: pose
Physical Benefits:
- Opens and stretches the hips.
- Stretches the inner groins and hamstrings.
- Lengthens the spine.
Preparatory Poses:
- Childs pose | Balasana
- Reclined hand to foot pose
Sequential Poses:
- Cow face pose | Gomukhasana
- Reclined twist
Counter Poses:
- Bridge pose | Setu bandhasana
- Savasana
Adjustments/Modifications:
- Hold your ankles or shins.
- Place a blanket under your neck.
- Hold each foot with a yoga strap looped around the middle arch of each foot.
Step-By-Step:
- Start on your back with your knees drawn in toward your chest.
- Grab hold of the pinky toe sides of your feet, with your elbows on the inside of your knees.
- Draw your shoulders toward the ground, tone your arms, and flex your feet as you pull down on your feet.
- Draw your knees wide and toward your armpits and try to stack ankles above knees.
- Lengthen your lower back down to the ground.
- Stay here for up to one minute, and then release and draw your knees into your chest.
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About the Author
Viparita Virabhadrasana: Reverse Warrior Pose
ADJUSTMENTS | BENEFITS | SEQUENCING | SANSKRIT | STEPS
In viparita virabhadrasana (VIP-uh-REE-tuh veer-uh-buh-DRAHS-uh-nuh), experience a member of the “warrior” family with an incredible opening in the side of the torso as well as the stretching the legs. By giving the side of your heart an opportunity to shine (as a side bend rather than a back bend), this posture offers all sorts of positive vibes, including a boost of self-esteem and perseverance.
Philosophy + Origin
The general definition of a warrior is someone who “engages in warfare,” which conjures up images of battlefields, weapons, and violence. The power of reverse warrior is to “turn around” this imagery to think about warriorship in different contexts. The idea of a peaceful warrior, or even a light warrior, is used in yoga to remind students that showing up with love and intention in day-to-day life is just as important, if not more so. When practicing reverse warrior, ask yourself to consider definitions or beliefs in your life from another perspective. There are two sides to each coin, and the better you know both sides, the better prepared you will be to live your life with steadiness, grace, and ease.
