Happy baby pose
Happy baby pose is a lying stretch for the hips and inner thighs. On your back, you open your knees towards your armpits and hold your feet or shins, with your head and shoulders resting on the mat. Use it after training, in a recovery session or before bed.
Also called happy baby.
- Works
- Hips and inner thighs
- Hold
- About 30 sec
- Kit
- None
- Intensity
- 1 of 5 on Prep's scale
How to do it
How to do happy baby pose.
Hold about 30 seconds without pulling hard. Hold your shins if your feet are out of reach.
Draw knees in
Lie on your back and draw both knees towards your chest. Rest your hands on your shins and keep your head and shoulders supported.
Open knees
Open your knees comfortably towards your armpits, supporting your shins. Raise your feet so your ankles are above your knees and your soles face upward.
Hold and settle
Reach inside your knees to hold the outside edges of your feet, or keep holding your shins. Let your head, shoulders and tailbone rest comfortably on the mat. Breathe slowly without pulling hard.
Optional: rock gently
Optional: keep holding your feet or shins and gently rock a little from side to side. Keep your head supported and your back relaxed. Use small, comfortable movements, or remain still for the rest of the stretch.
Form
Happy baby pose form.
A broad, gentle stretch through the inner hips and groin.
Keep
- Rest the head and shoulders
- Keep a comfortable gripHold the shins if the feet are out of reach.
- Let the knees open easily
Common mistakes
- Yanking the feet downUse light support rather than a strong pull.
- Curling up to reachMove your hands to the shins or thighs.
- Easier version
- Hold the thighs or shinsBring the support closer rather than reaching for the feet.
Questions
Happy baby pose questions.
What does happy baby pose stretch?
Happy baby pose stretches the hips and inner thighs.
What is happy baby pose good for?
Prep uses happy baby pose for hip and groin range, after training, during a recovery session or before bed.
How long should you hold happy baby pose?
Hold about 30 seconds without pulling hard. Hold your shins if your feet are out of reach.
How do you make happy baby pose easier?
Hold the thighs or shins. Bring the support closer rather than reaching for the feet.
Alternatives
Happy baby pose alternatives.
Similar moves
In these routines
More hip exercises
Do it timed, in your plan.
Prep times it for you, shows the demo clip and plans your week around the areas you choose.