Simhasana

Other Names

Lion Posture, Tiger Pose, Singh Asan, Singa or Singha Asana, Sinhasana

Description

Placing the palms on the knees, spreading out the fingers (and) opening the mouth wide, one should gaze at the tip of the nose and be well (composed). This Simhasana, adored by ancient yogis.

How to reach the stretch

• Sit in Vajrasana .
• Now raise your buttock a little and cross the heel and toes of the right leg over that of left leg.
• Sit on the heels and place both hands on the respective knees. Spread out the fingers.
• Bring out the tongue as much as possible. Gaze should be on Nasal.

How to release the stretch

While returning back to the original position, take the tongue in, release the tension, loosen your hands and come back to the original position.

Benefits

• Relieves tension in the chest and face.
• An often-overlooked benefit of Simhasana is that it stimulates the platysma, a flat, thin, rectangular-shaped muscle on the front of the throat. The platysma, when contracted, pulls down on the corners of the mouth and wrinkles the skin of the neck.
• Simhasana helps keep the platysma firm as we age.
• According to traditional texts, Simhasana destroys disease and facilitates the three major bandhas (Mula, Jalandhara, Uddiyana).

Caution

If you have a knee injury, always be cautious in flexed-knee sitting positions and, if necessary, sit on a chair to do the pose.

Next: Utkatasana