Benefits of rabbit pose
Rabbit pose, also known as Sasangasana, is a beginner’s inversion that refreshes the mind and increases spinal elasticity. It also stimulates the immune and endocrine systems, benefits thyroid and parathyroid glands and relieves stress.
Practicing the pose regularly can help to improve sleep and reduce anxiety and depression, too. It’s an excellent posture to try after a challenging backbend as it encourages the spine to flex.
This pose stretches and lengthens the back, neck, and arms and is also beneficial for women during pregnancy because it allows for a deep stretch of the back muscles and stimulates the endocrine and immune systems. It can also be used as a relaxing posture after a stressful day and is often added to Yin yoga sequences or as a standalone pose whenever you want to relieve tension in the shoulders.
Variations for beginners
Before practicing Rabbit Pose, it’s important to practice sun salutations and other gentle warm-up movements to loosen the spine and prepare for the inversion. It’s also best not to attempt this pose if you have a neck injury or high blood pressure.
To start, lie on your back with your knees slightly bent and feet flexed, feet about shoulder-width apart. Exhale and bend forward, bringing your chin to the floor and forehead to the knees. Be sure to move your knees slightly forward as you progress, allowing for plenty of space between your intervertebral disks.
Once you’re comfortable with this position, move your feet and heels together to feel the most deep stretch in the back. Repeat this pose a few times to gain a stronger sense of the pose.