Bakasana Crow Pose
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Bakasana Crow Pose
Mental Benefits
Crow Pose is an arm balance that looks scarier than it is to practice. It challenges you to focus on lifting versus falling. You are supporting your weight on your hands, and that requires you to face the fear of face planting into the floor. Crow Pose encourages body awareness and honing in on the mind-body connection while flying in the air.
Quote
There is freedom waiting for you, On the breezes of the sky, And you ask “What if I fall?” Oh but my darling, What if you fly? ~Erin Hanson
It is the perfect balance of holding on and letting go. Crow Pose invites you to accept your fears and embrace the courage to fly.
Physical Benefits
Crow Pose is an amazing full body workout. It works your arm and core muscles, as well as strengthens your wrists, upper back, and legs. While it is easier to use the force of your legs against the back of your arms for the pose, you get more physical benefit by using your core to lift you up.
In time, it can be fun to press from Crow to Handstand, and back to Crow!
Quote
I am strong, because I have been weak. I am fearless, because I have been afraid. I am wise, because I have been foolish. ~Unknown
Additionally, Crow Pose also opens up the groin and tones the abdominal organs. The pose stretches the upper back, helps decrease heart burn and acidity, and increases the flexibility and elasticity of the spine.
Spiritual Benefits
Crow Pose fosters inner focus and concentration in the present. This pose is a symbol for justice and longevity. It strengthens the sacral chakra, also known as the second chakra.
Quote
Sacral Chakra - Our connection and ability to accept others and new experiences. ~Aileena CavaliIn
Crow Pose connects us with our feelings, emotions, and creative energy.
What benefits have you experienced from practicing Crow Pose? Share them with us below!
Crow Pose is an arm balance that looks scarier than it is to practice. It challenges you to focus on lifting versus falling. You are supporting your weight on your hands, and that requires you to face the fear of face planting into the floor. Crow Pose encourages body awareness and honing in on the mind-body connection while flying in the air.
Quote
There is freedom waiting for you, On the breezes of the sky, And you ask “What if I fall?” Oh but my darling, What if you fly? ~Erin Hanson
It is the perfect balance of holding on and letting go. Crow Pose invites you to accept your fears and embrace the courage to fly.
Physical Benefits
Crow Pose is an amazing full body workout. It works your arm and core muscles, as well as strengthens your wrists, upper back, and legs. While it is easier to use the force of your legs against the back of your arms for the pose, you get more physical benefit by using your core to lift you up.
In time, it can be fun to press from Crow to Handstand, and back to Crow!
Quote
I am strong, because I have been weak. I am fearless, because I have been afraid. I am wise, because I have been foolish. ~Unknown
Additionally, Crow Pose also opens up the groin and tones the abdominal organs. The pose stretches the upper back, helps decrease heart burn and acidity, and increases the flexibility and elasticity of the spine.
Spiritual Benefits
Crow Pose fosters inner focus and concentration in the present. This pose is a symbol for justice and longevity. It strengthens the sacral chakra, also known as the second chakra.
Quote
Sacral Chakra - Our connection and ability to accept others and new experiences. ~Aileena CavaliIn
Crow Pose connects us with our feelings, emotions, and creative energy.
What benefits have you experienced from practicing Crow Pose? Share them with us below!
Basics to get into Crow
Benefits of Crow Pose
- Take your time
- Build from the ground up. Pay attention to your hands. Press up and out of the knuckles and palms.
- Find, keep finding and keep finding that upward current of energy. Maintain this and you will fly!
- Draw your naval in towards the spine and hollow upper back.
- Keep the gaze forward.
- If you do fall… smile, shake it off and breathe. Begin again.
- Draw the shoulders down away from the ears. Create space.
- Place a pillow in front if that helps quieten the mind
- In time, straighten the arms and draw arches of the feet together
- Have fun and enjoy the ride
Benefits of Crow Pose
- Tones the abdominal wall.
- Strengthens abdominal organs to aide in lower back pain and indigestion.
- Strengthens arms.
- Stretches and strengthens the back.
- Stretches and strengthens inner thighs.
- Opens the groin.
- Strengthens the wrists! TRUTH! Practice.
- Builds endurance and focus – mental focus and calm!
Affirmations
I revitalize myself with every breath I take
Without breath, there is no life. Breath carries the life force. Even the plants breathe and thankfully for us since they exhale the oxygen that we inhale to live. Most people use only a third of their lung capacity which means many are living at only 30% capacity. When we are uptight, anxious or worried, we often breathe even less or may find ourselves actually holding our breath. That is why we include this breathing affirmation near the beginning of our process since breathing deeply and fully is the foundation of a healthy body and spirit. Pranayama, kundalini yoga and even the Lamaze method of natural childbirth all focus on the breath for self-empowerment and overcoming pain. Now is the time to incorporate good breathing practice into our daily life.
Without breath, there is no life. Breath carries the life force. Even the plants breathe and thankfully for us since they exhale the oxygen that we inhale to live. Most people use only a third of their lung capacity which means many are living at only 30% capacity. When we are uptight, anxious or worried, we often breathe even less or may find ourselves actually holding our breath. That is why we include this breathing affirmation near the beginning of our process since breathing deeply and fully is the foundation of a healthy body and spirit. Pranayama, kundalini yoga and even the Lamaze method of natural childbirth all focus on the breath for self-empowerment and overcoming pain. Now is the time to incorporate good breathing practice into our daily life.
I am relaxed even during times of stress
Research has shown that being relaxed can help one heal. Disease means 'lack of ease' so with that in mind, returning to our natural state of balance should be a goal of a healthy lifestyle. In this exercise of alternating tension and relaxation, we learn what it feels like to be relaxed by experiencing its contrasting state of tension. When people are uptight and tense, they often create blockages within the body system which may cause toxins to accumulate and disease can result. The body and mind are interconnected so when one experiences tension in the mind, it is reflected as constriction in the body. By being aware of the need to relax and by practicing these relaxation techniques, one can mitigate the effects of chronic or acute stress and even pain.
Research has shown that being relaxed can help one heal. Disease means 'lack of ease' so with that in mind, returning to our natural state of balance should be a goal of a healthy lifestyle. In this exercise of alternating tension and relaxation, we learn what it feels like to be relaxed by experiencing its contrasting state of tension. When people are uptight and tense, they often create blockages within the body system which may cause toxins to accumulate and disease can result. The body and mind are interconnected so when one experiences tension in the mind, it is reflected as constriction in the body. By being aware of the need to relax and by practicing these relaxation techniques, one can mitigate the effects of chronic or acute stress and even pain.
I radiate health and well being
The messages our mind sends to our body have a great impact on the condition of our health. That is why this affirmation is so important, especially if we feel sick or have been 'diagnosed' with an illness or disease. Not only do we need to take actions and make choices that support our health on the physical plane, but we need to be vigilant about what we tell ourselves about the state of our health. Seeing ourselves as radiating health is paramount to actualizing a state of health. Appreciating and focusing on the gift of life will carry us a lot further than complaining about our aches and pains or worrying about a medical diagnosis. Gradually we become what we focus on and in this case, may it be a perfect state of health.
The messages our mind sends to our body have a great impact on the condition of our health. That is why this affirmation is so important, especially if we feel sick or have been 'diagnosed' with an illness or disease. Not only do we need to take actions and make choices that support our health on the physical plane, but we need to be vigilant about what we tell ourselves about the state of our health. Seeing ourselves as radiating health is paramount to actualizing a state of health. Appreciating and focusing on the gift of life will carry us a lot further than complaining about our aches and pains or worrying about a medical diagnosis. Gradually we become what we focus on and in this case, may it be a perfect state of health.
I am grateful for all without conditions
So often we wait to have what we want before feeling thankful. In this case, we may be waiting a long time. To jump-start the flow of blessings in our life, we practice gratitude at all times, even for the things that might appear negative. When we can be truly grateful for everything that happens, the good or the bad, we will find that our lives gradually improve. It may be challenging at first to find the silver lining in every situation, but once this habit of gratitude becomes a part of us, we will be pleasantly surprised by what opens up for us. We can begin by expressing appreciation for the basics like food and shelter and for small things that we can easily acknowledge. From there, we can allow our gratitude to grow and when it does, we shall be ready for even better things to come our way.
Thank you Feel free to love, share and comment
So often we wait to have what we want before feeling thankful. In this case, we may be waiting a long time. To jump-start the flow of blessings in our life, we practice gratitude at all times, even for the things that might appear negative. When we can be truly grateful for everything that happens, the good or the bad, we will find that our lives gradually improve. It may be challenging at first to find the silver lining in every situation, but once this habit of gratitude becomes a part of us, we will be pleasantly surprised by what opens up for us. We can begin by expressing appreciation for the basics like food and shelter and for small things that we can easily acknowledge. From there, we can allow our gratitude to grow and when it does, we shall be ready for even better things to come our way.
Thank you Feel free to love, share and comment
