Benefits of Child's Pose

More than just a resting posture in yoga, child’s pose will benefit your body and headspace when you’re sore, stressed or flagging – basically, whenever you need to hit the reset button. Here’s a few reasons why it’s medicine for your muscles and your mind…

Stretches sore, stiff and tired limbs

Child’s pose is a soothing stretch for the whole of the body, but the ankles, shoulders and thighs will be particularly grateful. Ankles, often neglected in stretching, are soothed when the tops of our feet are pressed into the ground. Tired, sore quads are eased when we bring the upper body to the floor and lengthen through the spine, and tension in the shoulders is released when the blades are stretched across our back, head relaxed downwards.

Lengthens the spine, relieves the back

The spine gets compressed as we go about our daily lives, whether that be from sitting for long periods of time, performing certain forms of exercise or having less-than-ideal posture. With arms reached forward and the tailbone pushed back, child’s pose gives the spine a chance to lengthen and work against that compression. We also release tension in the lower back in this pose, as it counteracts that tightness and discomfort that we frequently build up in these areas.

Boosts circulation

Healthy blood flow is vital as it carries oxygen and nutrients through the body and enables organs and tissues to function more productively. While you might think it’s only active movements that get the blood flowing, restorative poses also promote circulation as they help to push the blood into the spine, brain and organs. The benefits are big for both body and mind.

Calms and re-energises the mind and body

Child’s pose in an opportunity to slow the breathing and quiet the mind. As we turn our face to the ground and close our eyes, the pause from distractions naturally turns the focus inwards and eases stress from outside stimuli. And of course this resting posture allows a chance to restore our bodies from fatigue, catch our breath and re-energise.

Aids digestion

It’s not always easy to figure out the causes of discomfort in the gut, but child’s pose can help ease the symptoms. In this position, the torso is rested either on or between the thighs, and as we breathe here our system receives a gentle massage as the belly expands, freeing up space and helping to move the digestive process along. 

You can do it (almost!) anywhere

OK, so it might not be feasible to get down into child’s pose on our daily commute or on the floor of the office, but we can reap the rewards of the posture by taking it off the yoga mat and into our regular routine when we can. Try it post- or even during a workout to recalibrate, take a few minutes’ break when you’re working from home, or try getting down on your board to ease those sore muscles when you’re out on the water!

Guest blog by the very talented Helen Seymour

Photos from our SUP Hike Yoga Adventures in Sardinia.

We’ve got limited spots on our SUP Hike and Yoga Weekend Retreat this August!