In yoga class, when things start to get all too hard and/or you’re feeling a bit dizzy, the teacher says to take a break in child pose.

Get down on your knees, sit your bum on your feet, big toes touching, knees apart - then fold forward…. let go and surrender with arms stretched out (or by your sides) and your forehead on the floor. And breathe. And relax.

Bliss bomb.

And you know what? The same thing applies to daily life – when things start to get all too hard and/or you’re feeling a bit dizzy: get down in child pose. I’m serious!

Go find a quiet spot, even if it’s only for a couple of minutes and even if the word ‘yoga’ makes you shudder. I GUARANTEE that when you get that contact with your forehead on the floor and start breathing you’ll feel tension drop away and clarity in your head.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve found a meeting room, shut the door and gone into Balasana. It’s a strange sensation at first when you get so close to the carpet at work, but once you get over that it’s free-your-mind-city.

Even when you are feeling good, a simple child pose will help you harness that feeling – swim, bask and glow in it – all with a peaceful heart and a calm mind.

It’s the first thing I do when I get out of bed each day. Which usually turns into a few other stretches and grounding breath. Ok I’m sounding like a hippy now, but I swear to Ganesh this stuff makes you feel invincible.

A few other issues, amongst many others, that Child pose will help:
Insomnia
Anxiety
Sinus
Lower back and shoulder tension

I came across some variations of Child pose over on the Rejuventation Lounge – so just because you have knee or hip issues doesn’t mean you have to miss out.

And if you need any more encouragement, perhaps some buff new zealanders will motivate you… at the very least you’ll get giggle hearing ‘hips to fingertips’ in a kiwi accent.

About Ingrid Schroder

A Sydney-side freelance graphic designer, photographer & yoga teacher - I find myself turning to nature for guaranteed revival from the crazy pace of city life - be it digging in my garden, capturing natural beauty through a lens, floating in the ocean, practicing yoga or out exploring this incredible planet we all call home. Follow me on twitter @Cohabitaire