Inarguably, the best thing about childhood is the freedom to be carefree and happy. Probably the last time some of us were truly devoid of stress was when we were kids. Wouldn't it be great to go back to the wonder years of youth? While it's not possible to time travel, it's easy to become a stress-free kid again with yoga. Balasana, the child pose, is the most calming poses in yoga. The name of the posture is derived from bala, meaning child and asana, which means pose. If performed properly, the asana helps in imparting a sense of well-being and calmness. As part of the countdown to the International Day of Yoga, today let's focus on Balasana, the child pose.

How To Do Balasana

  • For the asana, kneel on the floor, keeping the toes of both feet together. Sit on your heels.

  • Once you feel at ease, spread your knees at hip width and inhale.

  • Bending forward, place your torso between your thighs and exhale with your forehead on the ground.

  • Keep both your hands on the floor along with your torso with your palms facing up. Alternatively, you can stretch your arms out in front of you.

  • Hold this pose for 10-15 seconds till you feel all the stress leaving your body.

Here's a video for assistance:

Benefits of Balasana

This asana is one of the most effective ones for reducing stress and anxiety. The primary benefit of the pose is to reduce mental stress, anxiety, fatigue and tension, which are common emotional problems seen these days. It helps people who suffer from dizziness. It stretches the internal organs and improves blood circulation in the body. It also promotes steady breathing.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 18, 2018 11:36 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).