Simhasana {Lion Pose}-Steps And Benefits

This name Simhasana is coming from the Sanskrit words ‘Simha’ (सिंहा) which means  “Lion” and which is the king of Jungle, and Asana (आसन ) means “posture” or “seat”.

In Simhasana’s posture, the body and face are manipulated right away to invoke the force and intensity of a lion’s roar. In fact, this pose is assumed to be one in all the simplest face exercises.  The posture resembles a seated lion, thence this poses named as Simhasana. In this Asana (Simhasana) the facial expressions of a practitioner are changed to resemble a lion and it is also known as Simha Mudra. The Lion pose (Simhasana) also stimulates the platysma, which is a flat skinny muscle within the front of the throat. This is often the muscle that pulls down the corners of the mouth and also wrinkles the throat. It’s believed that this exercise can facilitate to stop the drooping of the throat with age. In addition, the Simhasana posture helps to promote smart posture and successively will increase confidence levels.

Sanskrit Name: – Simhasana
English Name: – Lion Pose

Preparatory Pose:
1. Vajrasana
2. Virasana (Hero Pose)
3. Supta Baddha Konasana

Follow-up poses:
1. Balasana (Child Pose)
2. Ustrasana (Camel Pose)

Steps of Simhasana (Lion Pose)

• Sit in Vajrasana and spread your knees.
• Your spine should straight but as relaxed as possible.
• The fingers of your hands should face backward and be kept straight in between your legs.
• Now inhale and take out your tongue. Try to look between in the eyebrows and exhale.
• During exhaling roar like a lion. (Roaring sound “Haa”).
• After Roaring hold the pose for 20 to 30 sec.
• Repeat this process about 4 to 6 times.
• After doing Simhasana while taking the saliva inside the mouth, massage the throat lightly.
• Don’t inhale quickly after this posture; try to inhale after the 20 to 30 seconds.

Benefits of Simhasana (Lion Pose)

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

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

Beginner’s Tip

The hand and shoulder blades are connected sympathetically. When you stretch the right palm over the right knee, feel how the shoulder blade extends across your back. Likewise, when you press each palm against the knee of the same side, feel that the same-side presses the shoulder blades more deeply backward, helping to elevate the heart.

Important

If you are unable to perform this pose in Vajrasana or having a knee injury, you can perform this pose with different sitting Asanas like Padmasana (Lotus Pose), or in the standing position, with the palms on the waist and also keep your feet 6-12 inches apart. Concern a yoga expert before doing any type of Asana or Pranayama.