April is National Frog Month. Frogs are an important bellwether species for our planet — when frogs are healthy and abundant, an ecosystem is healthy. There a number of actions that both children and adults can do to help build awareness and improve the environment.

In honor of National Frog Month, I wanted to share one of my favorite yin yoga poses (second only to dragon pose for me). Here is more information about frog pose.

Frog (hold 3 to 5 minutes)

Contraindications

• Bad back: use support
• If there is any tingling in the fingers, take hands wider or extend one arm at a time

Getting into the Pose:

• From all fours, spread the knees as wide as possible and sit back to heels
• Arms can be at your side or stretched overhead
• Rest chin or forehead on floor

Modifications

• Can separate the feet as wide as the knees
• Hips can come up and forward if the stretch is too intense
• Support chest on bolster

Benefits:

• Stretches groin, hamstrings and back
• Aids digestion and eases cramps

Meridians & Organs Affected:

• Liver, kidney, spleen, urinary bladder

Joints Affected:

• Hips, lower back, shoulders

Chakras Affected:

• First (muladhara)
• Second (svadhistana)
• Third (manipura)

Coming Out:

• Come to child’s pose or slide forward onto belly, bringing legs together

Counterposes

• Child’s pose
• Apanasana

With joy,

Debra