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Happy Baby Pose

Beginner
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Happy Baby Pose is a supine yoga posture that stretches the inner thighs, hamstrings, and groin to enhance hip flexibility and promote relaxation; commonly used in warm-ups or cool-downs for mobility and stress reduction.

About Exercise

Equipment

Body Weight

Difficulty

1/5 • Beginner

Primary Muscle Groups

Adductors, Hamstrings

Secondary Muscles

Lower Back, Abs

Popularity Score

8

Goals

Mobility
Stability
Rehab

Training Style

Yoga

Setup Requirements

Requires Rack

No

Requires Bench

No

Requires Spotter

No

Space Needed

Small

Noise Level

Low

Muscle Breakdown

Adductors

10/10

Adductor Longus, Adductor Magnus

Hamstrings

8/10

Biceps Femoris, Semitendinosus

Hip Flexors

7/10

Iliopsoas

Glutes

6/10

Glute Max

Lower Back

5/10

Erector Spinae

Abs

4/10

Transverse Abdominis

Programming

Typical Rep Range

30-60 reps

Rest Between Sets

30-60 seconds • Rest in child's pose or supine between holds.

How to Perform

Lie on your back on a yoga mat with knees drawn toward chest and arms relaxed at sides.

  1. Open knees wider than torso toward armpits.
  2. Flex feet with soles facing ceiling and ankles over knees.
  3. Grasp outer edges of feet with hands.
  4. Gently push feet into hands while pulling down to deepen stretch.
  5. Keep tailbone and lower back grounded on mat.
  6. Breathe deeply and hold for 30-60 seconds.
  7. Optionally rock side to side to massage lower back.

Coaching Tips

Form Cues

  • Relax shoulders down.
  • Keep head and neck neutral.
  • Ground sacrum firmly.
  • Flex feet actively.
  • Breathe steadily.
  • Soften upper body.

Breathing

Inhale deeply through nose to expand belly, exhale slowly through mouth to release tension and deepen stretch.

Tempo

2-0-2

Range of Motion

Knees bent at 90 degrees with shins perpendicular to floor; spine fully lengthened without arching lower back.

Safety

Safety Notes

  • Avoid if pregnant beyond first trimester.
  • Skip with acute neck, back, hip, or knee injuries.
  • Do not practice with high blood pressure without guidance.
  • Stop if sharp pain in hips or knees occurs.
  • Maintain neutral spine alignment.
  • Consult professional for modifications.

Spotting

No spotting required; self-supported pose on floor.

Common Mistakes

  • Lifting head off mat.
  • Tensing neck and shoulders.
  • Arching lower back.
  • Forcing knees too wide.
  • Holding breath.
  • Straining to reach feet.

When to Avoid

  • Pregnancy after first trimester
  • Acute lower back injury
  • Recent hip or knee surgery
  • High blood pressure
  • Groin strain
  • Neck injury

Flexibility Needed

  • Basic hip flexion
  • Shoulder external rotation
  • Ankle dorsiflexion

Also known as

Ananda Balasana

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