Kakasana - Crow Pose

Happy October! In many of this week's ongoing classes, we'll be exploring our Pose of the Month, Kakasana. Kaka translates to crow, but might also remind you of the "caw caw" sound that a crow makes!

Kakasana/Crow Pose is an arm balancing pose that requires strength and focus. It's often seen as an empowering pose, requiring the practitioner to trust their balance and find their center. We'll take a playful approach and try lots of approaches and variations throughout the month and see what happens! 
Benefits of Crow Pose

• Core Strength: Crow pose engages the core muscles, especially the abs and obliques, to maintain balance.
• Wrist Strength: The wrists bear significant weight in this pose, helping to build strength and stability in the hands and forearms.
• Focus and Concentration: Maintaining balance in crow pose demands mental focus and concentration.
• Shoulder Stability: The shoulders are actively engaged to support the body's weight, improving shoulder stability and strength.

How to Practice Crow Pose

1. Start in a squat: Begin by squatting down with your feet hip-width apart.
2. Place hands on the floor: Place your hands flat on the floor, slightly in front of your feet, about shoulder-width apart.
3. Lift hips: Come onto your tip toes and lift your hips up high.
4. Lift feet: As you exhale, lift your feet off the ground, bringing your knees towards your armpits.
5. Shift weight: Shift your weight forward onto your hands, bringing your elbows over the wrists.
6. Find balance: Once you find your balance, try to straighten your arms slightly, but maintain a strong grip with your hands.

Tips for Beginners:

• Start with feet on a block: If you're new to crow pose, try practicing with your toes on a block for support. 
• Add a crash pad: Place a blanket or bolster on the floor under your head to support your head and/or reduce the fear of face planting.
• Keep your gaze fixed: Looking down at the floor can help you maintain balance.
• Engage your core: Keep your core muscles engaged to prevent your body from tipping over.

Remember: Don't get discouraged if you don't get it right away. Practice regularly, and you'll gradually improve your balance and strength.