August yoga post of the month: child's pose

Each month I'll break down a different yoga pose including the benefits, how to properly do each pose and ways to modify.

This month is one of my favorite restorative poses, child’s pose. It’s such a great pose to reset your body. I love the full body stretch I get when I’m in this pose—and it instantly calms me.

Benefits: Child's pose opens your hips and chest, lengthens your spine, stretches your lats/side body, hamstrings and quads, and helps you quiet your mind to bring your focus to the present moment.

How to:

• Begin in table top, stacking your shoulders over your wrists and your hips over your knees

• Bring your knees mat width distance apart and your toe tips to touch

• Sink your hips back to your heels

• Extend your fingertips to the top of your mat and spread your palms wide

• Draw your shoulders down your back

• Rest your forehead on your mat and melt your chest and belly between your thighs

Modifications:

• Sink your hips back to a block instead of your heels

• Walk your fingertips to the right and left top corners of your mat for a great side body stretch

• Try embryo pose instead by bringing your knees together and place your arms at your sides with your palms facing up

Avoid this pose if you’ve got a knee injury or roll up blankets or towels under or behind your knees to relieve some pressure.

Questions? Leave a comment below!