The Powerful Benefits of Simhasana (Lion Pose)
“The greatest fear in the world is the opinion of others, and the moment you are unafraid of the crowd, you are no longer a sheep, you become a lion. A great roar arises in your heart, a roar of freedom.” ~ Osho
Simhasana is a Sanskrit word in which ‘Simha’ means lion, and ‘asana’ means pose. This pose literally imitates the lion’s roar and differs from any of the other poses. It is a very easy Hatha Yoga asana that can be done by any age group, from children to elders. Despite being a not-so-familiar pose, many established yogis practice Simhasana for spiritual upliftment, physical fitness, and emotional balance.
This asana is usually performed early in the morning or at any other time of the day on an empty stomach. The health benefits of Lion Pose are particularly interesting and extraordinarily beneficial for the throat, face, and respiratory organs.
Steps to Do Simhasana (Lion Pose)
- Kneel on the ground and keep some distance between the knees.
- Lift your right ankle up to place it behind the left ankle. Your perineum should push down on top of the heels.
- Keep your palms over your knees and slowly exert pressure against them.
- Inhale, and stretch out your tongue to the chin.
- Tighten up your throat muscles and keep your eyes open during this asana.
- Exhale through your mouth with a powerful sound of ‘ha’, as the deep breath should come from your stomach, washing up the throat.
- Try to focus between your eyebrows for ‘mid-brow-gazing’, or focus on the tip of your nose as both theories are practised.
- Roar and switch your leg to repeat the asana.
Tips for Shimhasana ( Lion Pose)
- Go through the Vajrasana pose.
- Avoid if you have any knee injuries.
- To increase the stretch, sit in Mandukasana while practising Simhasana.
7 Incredible Health Benefits of Simhasana (Lion Pose)
- Stress Relief: It deeply curbs stress and tension from your system. All the heart chambers get clotted due to the knots of stress, anxiety, fear, and judgments, blocking your path towards rejuvenation and a happy life. The Lion pose effectively nurtures the freedom of your soul.
- Disease Prevention: Sacred ancient scriptures like Gheranda Samhita disclosed that this particular asana is the “destroyer of diseases”. It encourages independence, self-reliance, and being powerfully sufficient.
- Activation of Bandhas: Simhasana activates three major bandhas (locks) – Mula (root), Jalandhara (neck muscles), and Uddiyana (abdominal). This pose re-energizes the hidden mystic energies of a yogi, further elaborating your role in success, health, and wellness.
- Facial and Respiratory Benefits: It lifts up your face and firms the throat by stimulating the platysma muscle. This pose also benefits the tongue, fixes bad breath issues, improves vocal cords, and polishes the texture of the voice. The respiratory organs are rebooted by inflating the lungs with detoxifying, fresh oxygen, helping to prevent respiratory infections and halitosis.
- Speech and Digestive Improvement: It may eliminate problems like stuttering, unhealthy abdomen, teeth-grinding, etc. By the increased sense of meditation and muscle memory, one can eradicate disabilities and minor infirmities.
- Beauty Benefits: Simhasana is known as one of the “best face exercises” as it increases blood flow to the face, giving a fresh glow and tight skin on your face and neck, reducing fine lines. This asana works better than any expensive facial massage.
- Relaxation and Stress Relief: Lion pose relaxes the neck muscles, alleviates back pain, and releases stress from the chest, face, and mind, making it especially beneficial for the working class.
Yoga may sound cliché, but only those who are open to embracing its natural benefits will truly experience them. Take the time to practice Simhasana and reap the health benefits. Embrace the powerful energy of a lion as you release negativity from your life and find peace.
Conclusion
Simhasana (Lion Pose) offers a unique blend of physical, mental, and spiritual benefits, making it a valuable addition to any yoga practice. By incorporating this pose into your daily routine, you can experience profound stress relief, improved respiratory function, and enhanced facial beauty. Additionally, the activation of major bandhas can significantly boost your overall wellness and vitality. Embrace the roar of freedom and let Simhasana help you release negativity and cultivate a life of peace and health. Explore more about our 200 hour yoga teacher training in India, 300-hour Yoga teacher training, and 500-hour Yoga teacher training programs, as well as our Ayurveda Retreat and Yoga Retreat offerings to deepen your practice and understanding.
