Supported Child's Pose with Props

Child's pose with a bolster under the torso and a blanket behind the knees so the position can be held for minutes rather than breaths. Used as a long, quiet down-regulation hold.

DIFFICULTY
Beginner
EQUIPMENT
Bolster · Blanket · Mat
PRIMARY MUSCLES
Lower back · Glutes
ALSO WORKS
Lats · Diaphragm
HOW TO DO IT
  1. 01Kneel with the knees wide and the big toes touching, and roll a blanket behind the knees if the ankles or knees complain.
  2. 02Place a bolster lengthwise between the thighs with one end close to the pelvis.
  3. 03Lower the torso onto the bolster so the chest and belly are fully supported and the hips stay back toward the heels.
  4. 04Turn the head to one side and rest the arms alongside the bolster or reach them forward.
  5. 05Hold for three to five minutes, turning the head to the other side at the halfway point, then press up slowly.
COACHING CUES
  1. 01Stack the props until you can stop holding yourself up.
  2. 02If the hips do not reach the heels, add a second blanket on top of the bolster.
  3. 03Breathe into the back of the ribs.
COMMON MISTAKES
  1. 01Using a prop that is too low — the chest stays unsupported and the shoulders work for the whole hold.
  2. 02Keeping the head turned one way the entire time — the neck ends up loaded unevenly over several minutes.
  3. 03Cutting the hold to thirty seconds — the position needs minutes to settle, which is the point of the props.

Note: Reference material, not a prescription. Load, volume and whether this movement suits you at all depends on your assessment — if something hurts, stop and get it looked at.

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