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.

Contradictions: 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.