Practice
Why Is Child's Pose Used for Rest?
Child's Pose (Balasana) is yoga's default resting pose — kneeling and folding forward with the forehead down. It gently stretches the back, hips and thighs whil
Child's Pose (Balasana) is yoga's default resting pose — kneeling and folding forward with the forehead down. It gently stretches the back, hips and thighs while the folded, grounded shape calms the nervous system and slows the breath. You can return to it any time in a class to rest, reset and relieve tension in the back.
Folding forward over the knees with the forehead supported creates a sense of safety and quiet that naturally slows the breath and settles the mind, which is why teachers offer it as a rest whenever a practice feels too much.
It also gently decompresses the lower back and stretches the hips, thighs and ankles. Widen the knees for more room (helpful in pregnancy up to a point) or rest the forehead on a block or stacked fists if it does not reach the floor.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I do Child's Pose every day?
- Yes. It is gentle and safe for most people daily, useful for relaxing, releasing the back and calming the mind.
- What if my forehead doesn't reach the floor?
- Rest it on a yoga block, a cushion or stacked fists, and widen the knees so you can fold comfortably.
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