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
Ardha Matsyendrasana: Half Lord of the Fishes Pose
ADJUSTMENTS | BENEFITS | SEQUENCING | SANSKRIT | STEPS
Ardha matsyendrasana (ARE-dah MOT-see-en-DRAHS-ah-nah) is an approachable twist that opens the shoulders and chest. A good antidote for too much sitting and symptoms that come with overusing technology, half lord of the fishes pose has the ability to increase energy in the body while also stoking the digestive fire in your belly.
Philosophy + Origin
Matsyendra is often recognized as one of the original founders of hatha yoga in yogic mythology. He was said to be a baby who was thrown into the ocean after his parents rejected him. The story of Matsyendra reminds us that it’s often the parts of our personal stories we don’t like or don’t want to accept that can be the most beneficial, especially on the path to becoming a yogi or yogini. Rather than conceptualizing the twist to be a purge of what is unwanted or unnecessary, think of the detoxification as a purification, an opportunity to take what was once viewed or understood as “bad” and transform it into something that is helpful on your personal journey.
