Angry Toddler's Pose

All-Levels
Written By Danielle Enos (Dani Winks)

Flexopedia > Back

Angry Toddler's Pose

Muscle Group(s) Stretched: Back

Range of Motion Stretched: Spinal Flexion (Rounding)

Type of Stretch: Passive Static

Difficulty: All Levels

Suggested Prerequisites: none

I’m not sure if this pose has an actual “official” name, but I’ve always called it “Angry Toddler’s Pose” because it’s kind of like Child’s Pose, but your hands are closer to your knees and you’re angrily pushing them into the floor like a cranky toddler throwing a tantrum.

This is a great pose to gently stretch out the muscles in your back!

How To

Step 1

Start in a child’s pose: kneeling with your butt sitting backwards (resting on your heels, floating/reaching towards your heels, or resting on a yoga block or two), arms reaching forwards.

Step 2

Slide your hands back closer to your knees, tuck your chin towards your chest, and press your hands firmly into the floor to round your back.

Hold for 10-30 seconds.

Modifications

Make it easier:

  • Experiment with knee position - try taking knees closer together, or farther apart, to see which is more comfortable

  • Sit on a yoga block (or two, or three) to support the weight of your hips

Make it harder:

  • Add an arm lift (for reps). In your Angry Toddler’s Pose, make a thumbs up sign with one hand, thumb pointing towards the ceiling. Keep pressing the other hand into the floor as you try to lift your thumbs up off the ground, and lower it down. Repeat for 10 reps on one arm, then switch arms.

 
 
Danielle Enos (Dani Winks)

Dani is a Minneapolis-based flexibility coach and professional contortionist who loves sharing her enthusiasm for flexibility training with the world.

https://www.daniwinksflexibility.com
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