Zen Yoga child's pose

The Zen yoga Child's pose is an adaptation of the normal yoga child pose. This pose is a relaxation exercise that also compresses your abdominal organs and stimulates them to secrete better. It also gives a comprehensive stretch to your hips, spine, and shoulders and also to your thighs, buttocks, calf muscles, ankles and feet.

Do go ahead have a word with your doctor before you do this exercise. Clearance from your doctor is mandatory if you suffer from arthritis, rheumatism or any hip, spine or neck related ailment. Learn to do this pose under the trained eye of a yoga teacher so that you do it in the right manner.

Kneel and place your legs together and rest buttocks on your heels. Bend forward from your hips and lower your head towards your knees. Place your forehead on the floor in front of you. Move your arms around and place them near your feet. Let your shoulders sag and keep them soft. Let your shoulder blades fall to either side.

Let all the muscles in your body relax as you pass on your entire body weight to the floor, without engaging any of your muscles. Breathe softly and consciously as you inhale deeply and then breathe out in a long steady exhalation. Proper breathing when you do this pose is essential for you to relax completely. So as you inhale, draw the air into your lungs in a sustained inhalation. Let your breathing allow you to sink into this position to relax completely.

You may close your eyes too as you lie down inert this way. You will find that when you do this, you can put your mind to rest and also ease off the stress that you have accumulated through the day. Hence this is an ideal pose to do at the end of a tiring day and also a recommended pose after a grueling yoga session of more involved and tiring exercises.

As you remain in this position and breathe without any other physical movement, your blood pressure would stabilize too and apart from the physical relaxation, this pose would also clam your mind. So when you emerge from this pose, do so equally slowly first shifting your arms and then placing your palms on the mat. Push the mat and draw your body up gradually. Then move your legs and straighten them one at time to come back to your starting position.

Sources:

Zen Yoga Back Stretches : Zen Yoga Child's Pose

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gg6qopUPPDQ

Yoga Child Pose

http://www.answerbag.com/yoga-child-pose

Yoga: Child's pose

http://www.theragear.com/exercise/yoga_childs_pose.php

Reduce Back Pain through Child's Pose

http://www.yoga-trainer.com/guide/beginners-yoga/childs-pose-balasana.html