Ananda Balasana or Happy Baby Pose

by Amanda
(Iowa)

My favorite yoga pose is the Ananda Balasana or better known as the "happy baby" pose.

I first learned of this pose when I was doing yoga on the p90x workout system. The first time I heard the name of the pose I had to giggle. But I soon found out that I would come to fall in love with it.

Why I Love The Happy Baby

I love this pose because it really gives me a stretch in the hips. My hips get to be very tight and I struggle to find ways to stretch them out and make them feel better. The happy baby pose is relatively easy to do for both the beginner and the advanced yoga student. This pose is easy on the back and provides a tremendous amount of flexibility.

How I do The Happy Baby

The way to do this pose is to lay on your back and pull your legs toward your chest. Keep your knees bent and spread your legs. Pull your legs back toward your armpits with your arms. Be sure to keep your heels in line with your knees. Pull farther and farther back the more flexible you become. This is also a wonderful pose to stretch the back of the legs. As with any yoga pose this one will provide you the wonderfully relaxing experience that yoga provides overall.