The lion's roar is the defining characteristic of simhasana. It's the roar that releases tension in the body as it stimulates and energizes the throat. When you practice ...Yoga|LifestyleSimhasana:LionPoseAnnaPetrie5min.Weuseourvoicestocommunicate.Wecanwhisper,speak,sing,orscream,andshadeourexpressionwithmanynuances.Whenwearenervous,scared,happy,orsad,othershearitinourvoice.Afriendmaytellyouonthephonethateverythingisfine,butyouknowbythetoneofhervoiceit’snottrue.Ourvoicesreflectnotonlyourstateofmindbutalsothestateofournervoussystem.Asasinger,IfeltanuncomfortabletensioninmythroatwhenIsang,andmyvoicesoundedshrill.ButtheharderItriedtoforceittobefullandrobust,theshrilleritgot.EventuallyIcameacross simhasana (thelion’spose),andoneofitsreputedbenefitsisamelodiousvoice.Sureenough,Isoonfoundthatthelion’sposereleasedtheconstrictionsandbroughtenergyandawarenesstomythroat.Myvoicebecamemorefree.Ifeltthetensionreleaseinmyentirebody,notjustinmythroat,andafterawhileIrealizedthatthetensioninmyvoicewasamanifestationofdeep-seatedemotionsthatIwasbarelyconsciousof.Bycultivatingtheessenceofaleaping,roaringlion,Igaveshapetounexpressedemotionsandreleasedthem.Myrecalibratedthroatbegantoresonatewithafull,rich,andexpressivevoice.Trysimhasanawhenyoufeelangryoranxious,orwhenyouhaven’texpressedyourselfthewayyouwanted.Perhapsyou’llfindyourselfhappier,moregrounded,andlighter—emotionallyandphysically.Idid.ThePoseThelion’sroaristhedefiningcharacteristicofsimhasana.It’stheroarthatreleasestensioninthebodyasitstimulatesandenergizesthethroat.Whenyoupracticethepose,youwillroarwithaforcefulexhalation,butitshouldcomefreely,withoutconstrictingthethroat.Theexhalationresultsfromthecontractionoftheabdominalmusclesandthepelvicfloor.Themusclesofthethroatdonotforcetheairoutofthebody;theysimplyallowthebreathto bereleased.Theexhalationwillnaturallycreateasoundthroughyouropenmouth.Buttheroarshouldnotbevocalized.Itshouldsoundlikeaverybreathy ha.Beginin vajrasana,kneelingwithyourtoes pointedbackwardandyourbuttocksrest