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How to Do the Crow Pose. Although this position is commonly called the Crow pose, its Sanskrit
name literally translates as Crane. Any fowl will do: the point is that you'll be perched
like a bird on a wire. You will need Comfortable clothing suitable for stretching and moving
A calm place where you won't be distracted or disturbed A yoga mat or folded blanket
and a pillow. Do not practice this pose if you have carpal tunnel syndrome, are pregnant,
or have high blood pressure. Step 1. Squat on your mat with your feet wide apart and
your knees pointing outward. Step 2. Reach your arms in front of you. Step 3. Place your
hands on the floor in front of you, directly below your shoulders, with your fingers spread
out. Your knees should rest on the back of your upper arms, as close to your armpits
as possible. Step 4. Rise up on your toes, shifting your weight forward onto your hands.
Feel the weight distributed from the knees into the arms into the hands. This might be
as far as you go with this pose at first. That's OK—it will still help you increase
your upper body strength and hip flexibility. Step 5. Focus your eyes on a point in front
of your body so that your head is lifted up slightly. Step 6. Shift your weight forward
far enough so that your feet naturally lift up off the ground on their own without pushing
off or jumping. Your fingertips will make subtle adjustments to keep you balanced. For
a sense of security, put a pillow in front of you in case you should lose your balance
and topple forward. Step 7. Balance in the pose for several relaxed, natural breaths.
Step 8. Release the pose by lowering your feet back to the floor, coming back to a squat.
Resist the urge to flap your wings. Did you know In Hinduism, crows are valued as transporters
of food and offerings to the dead.