What is simhasana (lion pose)?
Simhasana (simha = lion, asana = pose) is a classic yoga posture resembling a seated lion. This asana involves a forceful exhalation from the mouth, that depicts the lion’s breath or roar.
What is simhasana?
- Sthithi (starting position): Sit on a clean mat in an airy and quiet room. Sit in vajrasana.
- Place your palms on the floor, fingers turned towards the legs, little fingers touching each other.
- Move the knees apart as far as possible.
- Lean forward and let the elbows rest on either side of the abdominal wall.
- Let the face fall forward slightly, raise the chin up, open the mouth and hang the tongue out.
- Breathe through the mouth, taking deep breaths as in bhastrika, but with less intensity.
- The classical pranayama of use is bhastrika pranayama.
- The following dristhis (gaze) are recommended – gaze at the chakras (vishuddhi, mooladhara or svadhisthana). But keep it steady for the period of asana.
- Breathe calmly, keeping the mind silent. Be conscious of your anchor within the self. Command your body to relax, moving from the top of the body to the extremities. Imagine stress leaving your body with each exhalation. Release your mind. Let it not grasp anything or any thought.
- Start with 5 minutes and increase upto 15 minutes.
- Do not try to achieve perfection on day 1. Make sure your body is able to take the strain. Over time, the body will become supple and perfection will be achieved.
What are the benefits of simhasana yoga pose?
- Simhasana is recommended for relieving stress in the face and chest.
- This yoga pose is very good for improving reproductive organs and relieving menstrual disorders.
- This is a primer asana for mayurasana.
- This asana is also useful for practicing for all the bandhas.
What are the contraindications for simhasana yoga pose?
- There are no known contraindications for this yoga pose.
Some noteworthy points on simhasana:
Internal Links: Dharma (conditioning), Stress and Situational Awareness, Prana, Asana overview 1, Asana Overview 2, Asana Focus or gazing, Pranayama, Yama, Niyama, Padmasana
External Links: Prana, Chakra, Pancha Tattva, Pancha Prana, Pancha Kosha, Nadi,
- This asana is considered to be one of the 32 most important asanas by all ancient texts.
