Yes, I know it’s a long name! However this pose is so worth it. Chances are you will not care very much for it in the beginning but as your strength and flexibility increase you will feel amazing in this pose and will come to love it!
*This asana is not for mothers with children under 6 months of age. To build upto this pose if you are a mother with a younger baby or if you just need to build the flexibility, practice lifting one leg whilst lying on your back with one knee bent up with the foot flat on the floor. As you feel the muscles lengthening, you can lower the support leg so it lies flat along the floor.
Stand with both feet together and lift one leg by bending the knee and taking hold of the foot with a firm grip. If you cannot get the foot, take hold of the ankle. Keep the supporting leg straight. Just practice this until you have mastered it as it is more difficult than it sounds!
When you are ready, begin to extend the lifted leg away from you, aiming eventually to get the leg out to a right angle with the knee straight (and don’t be discouraged at first if you don’t get very far). If the leg can straighten, begin to bend the body forwards towards the leg, bending the elbows.
REASONS TO DO HEAD TO KNEES/DANDAYAMANA-JANUSHIRASANA:
Strengthens abdominals and thighs, improves flexibility in the hamstrings and spine and tests balance and concentration.
