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Simhasana - The Lion Pose
"Simha" in Sanskrit means "lion" and hence this pose resembles a seating lion. Here, a person imitates a majestic lion with his jaws thrown wide open and tongue fully stretched out.
Sequence:
- Sit in Vajrasana — your back upright and hands resting on the thighs.
- Raise your buttock and bend both the legs, folding your knees backward like a scissor i.e. right leg placed above your left leg.
- The body, head and neck should be straight and the entire body weight should be on the toes.
- Rest your hand on your knees and spread your fingers.
- Exhale and open your mouth slowly, taking out your tongue.
- Stretch the tongue out as much as possible.
- Gaze should be upwards pointing at your eyebrows.
- Hold this position for some time.
- Come back to your original position exhaling.
Note: For beginners, in case you find the bending of legs and placing the right leg over the left leg uncomfortable, simply sit on vajrasana.
Caution:
- If you have a knee injury, sit on a chair or sofa and do the pose.
- The hands when placed on the knees should be straight.
- The chest should remain erect.
- While bringing out the tongue, exhale from the mouth making a sound, even if it’s not like the roar of a lion.
Benefits:
- The blood circulation in the neck muscles improves.
- It relieves tension in the chest and face.
- It checks tonsillitis.