10 Health Benefits Of Performing Lion Pose

The Lion pose or Simhasana is the asana of yoga wherein the body and face are manipulated at onceto invoke the force and intensity of a lion’s roar. In fact, this posture is thought to be one of the best face exercises you can get. People often overlook another benefit of Lion Pose: it stimulates the platysma, which is a thin, rectangular-shaped muscle in the front of throat. This exercise will keep the platysma as strong as you age.

To perform the Lion Pose, begin by kneeling on the floor with knees shoulder-width apart. Cross your right ankle over your left and carefully sit back on your heels. Make sure your feet are pointing outward and your calves are kept flat on the floor. Lift your chest up just enough that you are not slouching and your spine is fully straightened, but don’t over-arch your back.Now, place both your hands on top of your knees without slouching. Widen your palms and press them firmly against your knees. Splay your fingers like a lion’s claws. Inhale deeply through your nose.Lower your jaw and open your mouth as wide as possible. Stretch your tongue out and curl its tip down toward your chin. Open your eyes wide, looking upward and focus your eyes in between your eyebrows or on the tip of your nose. Contract the muscles at the front of your throat.
Now, hold this position and exhale slowly through your mouth and make a distinct “haaaaa” sound as you exhale.

Roar two of three times then retract your tongue. Relax your face, mouth, eyes, throat, and hands. Cross your ankles the opposite way and repeat Simhasana.

There are multiple benefits of doing this pose:

* Simhasana is an excellent way to relieve tension in the chest and the facial muscles. Steady breathing in this position helps the chest and the abdomen.

* People who practice Simhasana have experienced it to remove bad breath. People with defects of throat, nose, mouth and ears are suggested to practice this asana.

* Regular practice of Simhasana with the ‘haaa...’ sound in exhalation works as vocal therapy developing beautiful sonorous voice. Voice related problems also get healed.

* Simhasana also helps people with problem of stuttering and stammering.This yoga poseis also good for those children who suffer from a lisp.

* This yoga pose is great for respiratory health. As mentioned in point number one, this pose is great to relieve tension in the chest. Not only is this pose great for respiratory tract, diaphragm and vocal cord but also able to reduce the symptom of asthma.

* Simhasana aids in performing the three bandhas or locks namely, Moola bandha, Uddiyana bandha and Jalandara bandha. Because of this, Simhasana as the destroyer of all diseases.

* It stimulates the optical nerves, brings smoothness in the eyes and also reduces eye strain. It helps to keep your eyes healthy.

* This pose also aids in the thyroid and parathyroid glands.

* It helps in relaxing the neck muscles and keeping the skin tight, therefore, it helps maintain a well tones neck.
* You can do it in the morning to give you energy booster or before going to bed to help you getting all the health benefits of deep sleep.