The name of this asana is composed from the following Sanskrit roots:”bala” that means “power”, “force” or “energy”.
It also means “child”, that is why this pose is also known as the “Child’s Pose”.
This pose is also known as Garbhasana – the Embryo Pose.
WHO CAN PERFORM THE ASANA?
This asana is not recommended for pregnant women, to people having knee or ankle problems (sprains, strains), in cases of diarrhea, obesity and severe arthritis.
HOW TO PERFORM THIS ASANA
STARTING POSE:
Start in Vajrasana, then lie your torso down on your heels and let your big toes touch together.
FIRST STAGE:
Separate your knees so that the distance between them is bigger than the one between your hips. Lean forward so that your trunk gets between your thighs while you rest your torso on your heels. The torso must be lowered enough so that the hip points nestle down on the inner thighs.
If the hips are lifted too high from the thighs, you should make some movements that relieve your spine by placing your hands on the floor and pushing your trunk up and down. This will help you lower your hips on your thighs as much as possible.
FINAL POSE:
Rest your forehead on the floor. Put your arms on the floor, along your trunk, palms up and let the fronts of your shoulders towards the floor. The shoulder blades will be wide across your back thanks to the weight of the front of your shoulders. Stay in this pose for as long as it is comfortable.
FOCUS:
Focus on the cardiac plexus and perceive the awakening of Anahata chakra while you perform this pose.
BECOMING AWARE:
Return to Vajrasana after you end your performance of this asana. Perceive the intense awakening of Anahata Chakra. Feel how a state of universal love amplifies in your entire being.
This state of inner calm, harmony and deep happiness will help you deeply perceive and live the state of revelation of the reflection of the Supreme Divine Self – PARAMATMAN – in your own being. This refection is named JIVATMAN.
ERRORS TO AVOID:
- Not lowering the hips between the thighs enough.
- Separating the big toes.
- Lifting the torso from the heels.
EFFECTS:
- It makes your hips, thighs and ankles elastic and vigorous.
- It stimulates the peristalsis, it removes constipation and improves digestion. In time this will remove abdominal fat.
- The diaphragm descends and pushes the viscera downwards. This will generally stimulate all the abdominal organs.
- It makes the back muscles elastic and relaxes the spine vertebrae especially in the lumbar area. Consequently, it removes lumbar and back pains. A persevering practice will heal lordosis, scoliosis and cyphosis.
- The neck muscles are toned and back head pains are removed. The chest and the thoracic cavity are stress relieved. The stretch of the spine tones the medulla and the ganglion chains from both sides along the spine. Thus, the orto and parasympathetic nervous systems are toned.
- It removes rheumatic pains and heals gout. It also improves splayfoot.
SUBTLE EFFECTS:
- It amplifies focus and inner focus.
- It removes the states of aggressiveness, stress, inhibitions, egoism by the awakening and amplification of the state of abandon to the divine will, of humility and harmony.
- The mind becomes calm and relaxed and the body generally harmonious.
- It awakens the beings deep aspiration to merge with the transcendent Immortal Spirit PARAMATMAN.