Bakasana
Bakasana (Crane pose) (Sanskrit: बकासन, IAST: bakāsana), and the similar Kakasana (Crow pose) (Sanskrit: काकासन, IAST: kākasana) are balancing asanas in hatha yoga and modern yoga as exercise.[1] In all variations, these are arm balancing poses in which hands are planted on the floor, shins rest upon upper arms, and feet lift up. The poses are often confused, but traditionally Kakasana has arms bent, Bakasana (the crane being the taller bird with longer legs) has the arms straight.[2]
Etymology and origins
The names for the asanas come from the Sanskrit words बक baka ("crane") or काक kāka ("crow"), and आसन āsana meaning "posture" or "seat".[3][4]
While different yoga lineages use one name or another for the asanas,
These balancing poses can be dated at least to the 17th century
The 19th century Sritattvanidhi describes and illustrates both Kakasana and Bakasana.[10]
In his 1969 book Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha,
Description
These asanas are arm balances. In Crow Pose, the knees rest on the bent elbows. In Crane Pose, the elbows are straight and the knees are just above the shoulders, requiring flexibility in the hips.
Variations
Asymmetric variations include:
- Parsva Bakasana (Side Crane Pose) in which one thigh rests on the opposite upper arm and the other leg is stacked on top of the first.[14][15]
- Eka Pada Bakasana/Kakasana (One-Legged Crane/Crow Pose respectively) in which one leg remains in Bakasana while the other extends straight back.[16]
Preparation
The arms and shoulders can be strengthened for Crane/Crow by practising moving from High Plank to Low Plank. Other preparatory poses include Downward Dog Pose, Virasana (Hero Pose), and Malasana (Garland Pose).[1]
Claims
Twentieth century advocates of some schools of yoga, such as B. K. S. Iyengar, made claims for the effects of yoga on specific organs, without adducing any evidence.[17][18] Iyengar claimed that this pose "strengthens the arms and abdominal organs since the latter are contracted."[19]
See also
- Bhujapidasana– a similar hand-balancing pose, with the feet crossed in front of the body
- Tittibhasana - a hand-balancing pose with the feet stretched straight out in front
References
- ^ a b "Crane Pose". Yoga Journal. Retrieved 9 April 2011.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-84537-935-3.
- ISBN 978-81-7041-293-9.
- ISBN 978-0-668-03958-1.
- ISBN 978-1-57731-402-8. Retrieved 25 June 2011.
- ^ ISBN 0-8052-0610-8.
- ISBN 0-517-88431-3.
- ISBN 978-1-60743-238-8. Retrieved 9 April 2011.
- ]
- ISBN 978-81-86336-14-4. Archived from the original(PDF) on 2015-08-07. Retrieved 2019-03-24.
- ^ Modestini, Eddie (28 March 2016). "Vinyasa 101: Why Down Dog Is the Secret to Crane Pose". Yoga Journal. Retrieved 2 August 2022.
- ^ Heagberg, Kat. "Jump From Downdog to Crow in 3 Simple Steps". Yoga International. Retrieved 2 August 2022.
- ^ "Side Crane Pose". Yoga Journal. Retrieved 2011-04-09.
- ^ Stearn, Jess (1965). Yoga, Youth, and Reincarnation. Doubleday. p. 348. Retrieved 9 April 2011.
- ISBN 978-0-8052-0969-3.
- ^ Newcombe 2019, pp. 203–227, Chapter "Yoga as Therapy".
- ^ Jain 2015, pp. 82–83.
- ^ Iyengar 1979, p. 317.
Sources
- ISBN 978-1855381667.
- OCLC 878953765.
- ISBN 978-1-78179-661-0.