Simhasana or Simha Kriya

Aims

For the class to work with a few hip openers and backbends before sitting for Simha Kriya
For the group to have been given some classical teachings
For the class to observe a demonstration
For the class to work through the practice
For the class to remain in silence for a few moments before discussing Simha Kriya

The class will receive a handout
The class will practice some hip openers
The class will receive a demonstration of Simha Kriya
The class will practice the mouth positions before practicing full Kriya, if they feel comfortable
The class will finish in hamsasana, to counterpose backbend, ease out the hips and ankles with massage, and then sit in silence to observe the effects

Lesson Plan

1. Pass out Handouts
2. Check out about peoples knees, give alternate postures if necessary
3. Short talk on the philosophy behind the Kriya
4. Hip openers and backbends
5. Demonstration
6. Practice facial movements and tongue position with breath
7. Practice 5 rounds
8. Relax forward in Hamsasna
9. Massage round the ankles and backs of the legs
10. Sit in Silence

Handout for Simha Kriya

Simha Kriya, Simhasana or Simha mudra, is mentioned in the Hatha Yoga Pradapika as one of the four major asanas, but one has to be most flexible in the ankles to practice this version.
We will be practising a different version today, but I will however quote the Pradapika’s  version

Chapter 1 verses 50- 52

Place the ankles below the scrotum, right ankle on the left side, left ankle on the right side of the perineum
Place the palms on the knees, fingers spread apart, keep the mouth open and gaze at the nosetip with a concentrated mind
This is simhasana, held in great esteem by the highest yogis. This most excellent asana facilitates the three bandhas

This asana is dedicated to Narasimha, the man-lion incarnation of Vishnu.
The demon King Hiranya Kasipu, had obtained a boon from Brahma, in that he could not be killed day or night, in or out of his house in water or on land, by God, man or beast. He persecuted many, including his own son Prahlada. Prahlada was a good and pious man devoted to Vishnu, and the persecutions just made his faith stronger, as Vishnu allowed him to remain unscathed from the attacks. Prahlada’s preaching got stronger, and Hiranya, became frustrated, and asked his son why if Vishnu was omnipresent, was he not seen in the pillar in-front of him. Prahlada prayed for strength  to Vishnu, and as he did so Vishnu appeared from the pillar, in an awesome and terrible form, with the head and top half of the body a lion and  the lower body of a man. It was dusk, neither day or night, so Vishnu threw him in the air, seated himself on the threshold, placed the demon King on his thigh and tore him to pieces. This is where the posture derives its name from.

Simhasana, especially the classical posture , enables the yogi to master the bandhas, it also flushes new blood supplies to the tonsils and other lymph nodes around the tongue, so flushing them clear of toxins, this is especially valuable to tonsillitis sufferes. It also prevents pharyngitus and laryngitis, and improves the voice so can help cure a stammer. It massages many organs in the throat, including the thyroid gland, pharynx and larynx, as well as all the lymph nodes, so leaves the entire body in a state of rejuvenation.

We will practice by sitting in bhadrasana, if this is not easy either sukhasana, or padmasana is fine. Place the hands on the floor hands turned back so, the fingers facing the groin. In order to do this you will need to arch the back. Turn the gaze upwards preferably between the eyebrows, or alternatively towards the sky, so the throat is open.

Next take the tongue back towards the back of the throat as far as you can as you inhale. Next as you exhale extend the tongue out, as far over the chin as you can and at the same time let out a loud “ah….”  sound  for as long as the exhalation lasts. (you may move the tongue from one side to the other whilst roaring)
As you finish , again press the tongue against the upper palate and inhale. End of round one
It is recommended to practice this for at least three minutes a day.
Alternatively the hands can be placed on the knees fingers spread.
When no sound is made it is simhasana, rather than a kriya, and the tongue need not be rolled back toward the upper palate.

Diagrams

Sequence