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simhasana

How to do Simhasana - the Lion pose

Choose the sitting position that's right for you, depending on your degree of flexibility and practice:

• kneeling;
• sitting cross-legged, placing the left foot under the right buttock, the right foot under the left buttock (doing it the opposite way the second time);
• sitting in the Lotus pose (Padmasana).

Pounce - either:

• bring your weight forward, place the palms on the knees and spread the fingers; or
• bring the whole body forward, placing your palms on the floor to support yourself. Firm the buttocks, tuck the tailbone and open the chest.

Roar - As you move from sitting to springing forward, open your jaws, stretch your tongue out toward your chin, lift your eyes upward and exhale. You can exhale without sound or with a roar, allowing the sound to come forth naturally without straining the vocal cords. A supportive option is to start by chanting OM three times, creating an elevated atmosphere.

Reflections

• Do the Lion pose while invoking the goddess, Durga, riding into battle on her lion.
• Ask yourself: What demons do I need to destroy in myself to expand beyond my limitations?
• Repeat the pose asking: How do I use my personal power?

This material is provided courtesy of ascent magazine. Click here to read the full article.

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