Ananda Balasana: The Happy Baby Pose

Ananda Balasana, also known as the Happy Baby Pose, captures the simple joy and wonder of lying on your back as a baby and discovering your legs, toes, shoulders, and back with amazement. "Within each of us, regardless of age, there is a 'divine' child ready to be born in the form of inspiration, creative energy, or a new and unconditioned experience of the world."

The consciousness behind this posture, as referred by researcher and author Zo Newell, can be traced, like many others, in the Hindu sacred texts. Legend has it that Dasharatha, the king of Ayodhya, was a famous warrior and upholder of dharma or teachings. He had three brave and beautiful wives, but no children, which saddened the entire kingdom.

In the end, three sons were born, the eldest of whom was Rama, whose adventures are recounted in the epic poem of the Ramayana and who is an Avatar or manifestation of the god Vishnu. Rama was the delight of everyone's heart: "masters say that the divine is ready to be born in us all the time. Psychologically, avatars and other deities represent potentials waiting to be realized."

RECOMMENDED: Ananda Balasana, the Happy Baby Pose (print).

So Rama can be translated as "someone who gives happiness." Ra means radiance, light, and Ma means "in me." Baby Rama then represents inner radiance and joy.

"When we control our minds and senses in meditation, focusing on the inner reality and relinquishing external affirmations, the divine potential within manifests: A happy baby is born. The Bhagavad Gita says that 'yoga is skill in action.' It could be said that when our mind-body complex acts skillfully and we are in a state of yoga, we are illuminated. This is the internal meaning of Rama's birth."

In strictly physical terms, the benefits of Ananda Balasana include stretching the outer hip muscles, groin, chest, and shoulders, lengthening the spine, and releasing tension in the lower back. It is an excellent preparation for many sitting postures. This position resembles a reclining squat and offers a great alternative for people who cannot squat while bearing weight through their knees.

HOW TO PERFORM THE POSE

Lie on your back and bring your knees towards your chest. Inhale and hold the outsides of your feet. Open your knees wider than your torso, trying to bring them towards your armpits. Make sure your ankles are aligned with your knees, forming a 90-degree angle, with your shins perpendicular to the floor. Flex your feet by pushing up with your heels. Create resistance downward with your hands. Keep your neck extended without creating any compression in the area. Relax your shoulders and facial muscles. Hold the pose for about 30 to 60 seconds. Slowly and carefully lower your feet to the ground as you exhale. Playfully explore your body, like a baby discovering its hands and feet, and find what works for your body.