Simha – asana steps and benefits – The Lion Pose

 Simha – asana – The Lion Pose

The Sanskrit word simha which literally means "the powerful one" is the word for "lion." This, therefore is known as the lion posture, and one performing it can be said to resemble a roaring lion about to attack.

Instructions:

1. Sit up on the knees with the heels of the feet pressed against the buttocks and the calves of the legs flat on the floor.

2. Place the balls of the hands on the knees, straighten the arms and keep the back erect and the head straight (not tilted forward, back, to the left or the right).

3. Inhale while leaning forward slightly, stretching the mouth the jaws as wide as possible, extend the tongue out and downward as much as possible, fix your gaze either at the tip of the nose or between the eyebrows and stretch the fingers straight out from the knees.

4. Hold the posture for the duration of the inhaled breath then exhale, relaxing the forward stretch, dropping the fingers to the knees and closing the mouth and eyes.

Comments:

The simha-asana benefits parts of the body that most other asanas do not: the face, jaw, mouth, throat and tongue. Those who experience tightness or discomfort in the jaws such as teeth grinding, clenched jaws, a misaligned bite, etc. will benefit from both the jaw and tongue stretching of the simha-asana. This

asana is also known to help prevent or cure sore throats. The muscles and tissues of the face are rejuvenated from the alternating stretching and release, an exercise they rarely get in the course of our everyday lives. The fixed gaze relieves tense or burning eyes and the stretched fingers benefits the hands and wrists.

Repetitions:

Hold the simha-asana for thirty to sixty seconds and repeat three to five times.

Variation:

Try roaring loadly like a lion as you enter into the Lion Pose while sticking your tongue out. This stimulates

the throat and cultivates courage and fearlessness. Kids love to do it, shouldn't adults as well?

Benefits of Simhasana (Lion Pose):

The Simhasana benefits the face and also the throat, which isn’t typically benefited in other yoga posture.

1. The best exercise for face, eyes, tongue and throat.
2. Clears the Vocal cords.
3. Simhasana properly opens the Respiratory tract.
4. Strengthens Fingers and hands.
5. Prevents soreness of the throat.
6. Useful for tonsils, thyroid and other problems related to throat.
7. Beneficial in unclear pronunciation and in ear problems.
8. Best pose for those children who lisp.
9. It cures bad breath.
10. The Lion Pose is Helpful for improving the tone of the voice.
11. Give relief in back pain.