Sunday slow down! Over the next few Sundays I'll be sharing some of my favourite restorative poses, designed to help you slow down, find balance and nourish yourself.
Today's pose is supported child's pose, probably the one I practice most often. As well as being a lovely supported stretch for your lower back and hips, being supported on your front helps you to tap into the parasympathetic nervous system, which governs your relaxation response. I find it incredibly soothing.
To find it, set up some support (could be a yoga bolster, a yoga mat with some folded blankets on top, or a firm sofa cushion). Putting something under the far end will allow you to slide your arms underneath and cuddle the support - extra soothing! Then come into child's pose, making sure that your belly makes contact with the support underneath you. You may need to add extra blankets if there is space between your belly and the support.
Here I'm using some extra weight on the back of my body (you could also use a sofa cushion or the hands of a generous friend). Using a blanket to bind the back cushion a little more firmly (as in the photo below) means you find a sense of firm contact in the front and the back of your body, which gives you clear boundaries to breathe into.
Stay here, breathing deeply into your belly and low back as long as you are comfortable. After a few minutes, turn your head to the other side to keep the stretch through the neck even.
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