Simhasana
(The lion pose)
The literal meaning of Simh is lion. The entire body and facial expressions are modified to invoke that regal force in you. In this seated pose, you can kneel on a folded blanket to pad the knees, shins, ankles, and the tops of the feet.
According to traditional texts, Simhasana destroys disease and facilitates the three major bandhas (Mula, Jalandhara, Uddiyana).
 Asana technique:
To begin with the lion pose, kneel on the floor and cross the front of the right ankle over the back of the left. The feet will point out to the sides.
Sit back so the perineum snuggles down onto the on the top (right) heel.
Press your palms firmly against your knees. Fan the palms and splay your fingers like the sharpened claws of a large feline.
Take a deep inhalation through the nose. Simultaneously open your mouth wide and stretch your tongue out, curling its tip down toward the chin (as shown in the figure) open your eyes wide, contract the muscles on the front of your throat, and exhale the breath slowly out through your mouth with a distinct "ha" sound. The breath should pass over the back of the throat.
Either you can fix your gaze at the spot between the eyebrows, what is titled as "mid brow grazing", OR you can direct the gaze at the tip of your nose. (Both the variation are given in the texts.)
You can roar two or three times. Then change the cross of the legs and repeat for the procedure.
The body parts exerting the maximum impact are knees, abdomen, chest, hands, throat (diaphragm) and ankles.
Suggestion: In case you find the leg position described above to be uncomfortable, simply sit in Virasana. Sit on a block positioned between your feet.
Benefits of Simhasana
The posture relieves tension in the chest and face.
Simhasana stimulates the platysma. It is a flat, thin, rectangular-shaped muscle on the front of the throat. The platysma, when contracted, pulls down on the corners of the mouth and wrinkles the skin of the neck.
Simhasana helps keep the platysma firm as we age.
Therapeutically, simhasana is a useful pose for people with bad breath or for those who stutter.
Simhasana is a good pose to use to "clear the air," so to speak, at or near the beginning of an asana or pranayama practice. This would assist any pose that will follow next.
Precautions:
If you have a knee injury, always be cautious in flexed-knee sitting positions.
If necessary, sit on a chair to do the pose.
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