Last updated: December 21, 2023
What Does
Extended Child’s Pose Mean?
Extended child’s pose is a variation of child’s pose and is good for beginners.
To enter the pose, the yogi sits on the heels, then folds the body forward over the thighs, extending the arms over the head. The hands, forearms and head rest on the ground, and the feet stay together while the knees are apart.
Extended child's pose may also be referred to by its Sanskrit name, utthita balasana.
Yogapedia Explains Extended Child’s Pose
Extended child’s pose provides a gentle stretch for the back of the body and the shoulders by relieving pressure on the spine, while gently stretching the whole of the upper body, right through to the fingertips.
When the knees are wide, it is also said to stimulate the inside of the legs and provide a massage for the internal organs. It allows the rib cage to sink deeper toward the floor. Alternatively, the knees can be closer to support the torso, which can relieve back pain.
Primarily a restful, restorative posture, one can assume extended child's pose during a yoga class as an option when the practice feels too strenuous. A yoga block may be placed under the head or the sit bones to modify the posture.
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