Fitness Challenge: Bakasana (Crow) Pose

Fitness Challenge: Bakasana (Crow) Pose

Bakasana is the arm balance that often gets introduced first in yoga. I call it the gateway pose to all of the other arm balances. Nail this one, and a whole new world of party tricks opens up. It requires mental focus and physical balance. It requires arm, shoulder, and core strength, as well as hip flexibility.

The trouble is that it’s not often taught in detail in class so the teacher instructs you to take crow pose and you’re not exactly sure what to do if you’re struggling to get your feet off the ground.

In this tutorial, I show you how to begin to get into Crane Pose with straight arms. My arms don’t come all the way straight just yet, but I’m working on it. Then I demonstrate Crow Pose that’s a little lower to the floor with bent elbows. Bakasana translates as both Crane and Crow. From there, I show you how to use a blanket, block, or the floor to help ease you into the pose.

Feel free to ask questions in the comments below or share your success. Getting your feet off the ground in this pose is exhilarating and you’ll want to tell somebody! You can also show off your progress in social media with #IDfitnesschallenge. Don’t wait until you’ve mastered the pose. Show me where you are today. In yoga, it’s all about the journey!

What is your biggest struggle in this pose? If you can already do it, what was the biggest hurdle you had to overcome to get your feet off the ground?