Wide-Knee Child's Pose in Yin Yoga

Practicing the Wide-Knee Child's Pose will increase the therapeutic effects of the traditional pose. We are all familiar with the Child's Pose, but in Yin Yoga we take it to a new level!

"The answer is in the same place as you found the question. You just need stillness." ~ Master Hu

The practice of Yin Yoga has a different focus and intent than the "fitness-based" yoga that pervades the West. It is a more intuitive practice with long-held poses that help you truly see yourself as you are. As I like to say, it is allowing your body to become part of your soul's experience. It is the best way to deepen your yoga practice, that I know!

I invite you today, to learn the yin yoga style of the Child's Pose, which is shown below. 

Traditional Child's Pose on Pranang Beach, Railay, Thailand

I have yet to meet a person who does not love the Child's Pose. It is more relaxing and restorative, than most other poses, especially if you hold it instead of using it merely as a jumping off point to another pose. 

To come into this pose, kneel onto the floor, and sit back onto your ankles. Keep your knees and big toes touching one another as you sit back. Lean forward at the waist and place your forehead on the floor. If your hips pop up, don't worry about it. As you stay in the pose, keep inviting your hips to meet your heels.

Your arms can take several positions:

1. Straight over your head with your palms on the ground, as you draw your hands forward to open your shoulders under your arm pit, as shown in the photo above,
   
2. Arms are by your side, with hands, palms up and moving toward your feet, relaxing your shoulders toward the ground, not shown.

Child's Pose, Yin Style

In order to open your body farther, and do an even deeper, yin yoga style pose, begin the pose in the same manner as described above. Now, instead of keeping your knees together, spread them as wide apart as is comfortable for you. However, keep your big toes together.

Please note that if you have a groin injury, back or hip problems, you will not be able to do this pose. Please, carefully check in with your body before doing this pose, and do NOT do anything in which your body feels unsafe!

Wide-Knee Child's Pose, Pranang Beach

Again, you have several options for your arms:

1. Straight over your head, with palms down, not shown,
   
2. Straight over your head with your hands in the prayer position as shown above, OR
   
3. Arms make a cradle over your head with your hands resting on your elbows, not shown.

Experiment with various arm positions to find one that serves your own needs. This need may indeed vary from day to day. Hold this pose for 3-5 minutes.

The key concept of doing this pose in the Yin Yoga style, is that you are not extending and lengthening through your spine. Instead, release all your muscles, and allow your body to melt into the pose! This is very important as there is no forcing, striving or pushing in Yin Yoga! Only being present to just where you are in the moment!!

You will notice, however, that no matter if your muscles are totally released, over time, when you hold this pose, your body will release even more and you can go deeper in the pose. When you feel this opening, gently walk your arms farther forward to come to your next appropriate edge and/or allow the hips to sink lower with gravity. (To learn more about edges, see Yin Yoga.)

The reason your body responds over time, without pushing or striving, is because it is your joints of your spinal vertebrae and hips that are now the areas that are opening!

It is only through releasing your muscles, that you now allow for the possibility of more joint nourishment, mobility and fluidity! This is very, very therapeutic for your body, your mind and your soul! It will provide emotional release, and will "juice" your joints so that your aging process is slowed.

What a fabulous body-mind effect, don't you think? You can really learn about your body-mind connection with Yin Yoga if you practice it regularly. I promise!

Opening your hips and back in the Child's Pose is working with 2nd Chakra energy. This area is a real storage house for emotions. Plus, you are nourishing your Liver meridian, whenever you pull the tissues of the groin and inner thigh. 

Always remember to do your conscious breathing, while you hold your Yin Yoga pose. When you send your breath to your area of need, the pose becomes even more therapeutic! To add yet another dimension, you may also do the Wide-Knee Child's Pose with a Twist!

May you enjoy your practice of Yin Yoga poses, as much as I do! May the Child's Pose, taken with the wide knees, open your back, hips and groin and release and renew your 2nd Chakra energy to bring healing through your body-mind connection!

Want a handy reference, over 125 pages of all 36 of my Yin Yoga poses in a complete eBook? If you wish to stay healthy, or have a targeted area for healing, there is nothing like "The Quiet Practice of Yin Yoga" to heal your body, mind and soul! Click here to learn more!

OR, if you are ready to purchase click below:

 

Only 5.95 USD

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More Yin Yoga Poses for  You to Enjoy:

Quarter Dog Pose

Knees Into Chest Pose

Sphinx Pose

Fish Pose

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