Lion

Simhasana

Level:
Beginner
Pronunciation:
(sim-HAHS-anna)

Instructions

1. From a seated position with the hips on the heels and the palms resting on the knees, inhale and reach the crown of the head up to lengthen the spine.

2. As you exhale, bring the palms to the floor in front of the knees, arch the spine, look up at the third eye point, stick out the tongue and roar like a lion (Haaa!) out of your mouth.

3. Inhale back to the starting position and repeat 2-5 times.

Benefits + Contraindications

Benefits: Lion pose strengthens the lungs, throat, and voice. This posture stimulates the tonsils and the immune system and helps to reduce stress and anger.

Contraindications: Recent or chronic injury to the knees, face, neck or tongue.

Modifications + Variations

Modifications: Place a blanket under the knees.

Variations: Have the knees spread wide with the toes touching behind the hips and place the palms flat with the fingers pointing towards the body.

Vinyasa

Use one or more of the following postures to build a sequence leading up to this pose: Dog, Cat, Down Dog, Seated Yoga Mudra.

Use one or more of the following postures to build a sequence ending after this pose: Child, Camel, Half Circle, Gate.

Other Names

This pose is also called Simhagarjanasana.

Share with

Friends & Students

Explore More

Backbending Yoga Poses
  • Bow • dhanurasana

    Bow

  • Chair Pose / utkatasana

    Chair

  • Low Warrior / ardha virabhadrasana I

    Low Warrior I

  • Ardha Supta Virasana • Half Supine Hero

    Half Supine Hero

  • Upward Bow • Urdhva Dhanurasana

    Wheel Pose

  • Half Camel pose / ardha ustrasana

    Half Camel

  • Matsyasana • Fish pose

    Fish

  • Standing Backbend / Anuvittasana

    Standing Backbend

Remove Ads with a

Premium Membership

Viewing ads supports YogaBasics, which allows us to continue bringing you quality yoga content. Sign up for a premium membership to remove all ads and enjoy uninterrupted access to the best yoga resources on the web.

Categories for Lion

Asana Type

Focus

Chakras

Elements

Explore More

Yoga TipsAdviceArticlesPracticesBasicsTechniques

  • Practice yoga fast or slow

    Fast or Slow? How to Find Your Yoga Flow

  • yoga pose symbol

    5 Popular Yoga Poses And What They Symbolize

  • Equanimity Through mantra meditation

    7 Ways to Find Equanimity Through Yoga

  • Traditional inversion pose

    Top Tips and Benefits of Practicing Yoga Inversions

  • morning yoga stretches

    18 Morning Yoga Stretches and Poses to Start Your Day

  • Yoga for Self-Care

    How to Use Yoga as a Self-Care Tool

  • Ways to Realign Your Chakras

    11 Ways to Realign Your Chakras

  • best time to practice yoga

    When Is the Perfect Time to Practice Yoga?

  • yoga with a beginners mind

    9 Ways to Practice Yoga with a Beginner’s Mind

4 responses to “Lion”

  1. ML Avatar
    ML

    Kids love this pose. Be sure to include it when working with youngsters.

  2. Noora Avatar
    Noora

    Hello,

    We want to use Lion pose image in our iSing Magazine( UK) and include your Website Address in the article. The image will lead to your website. Please let us know what do you think about it.

    Regards,
    Noora

    1. Timothy Burgin Avatar
      Timothy Burgin

      Hi Noora, please use our contact us page to file a request for using the photo.

  3. Talia Nied Avatar
    Talia Nied

    thank you for these great instructions on how to practice the Lion’s pose. this really gives my face and mouth a good workout!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Yoga Basics