When I first started yoga, all I wanted to be able to do (besides get through a class without feeling like I was going to die) was crow. I’d see yogis all around me just fly right into the pose. I definitely grew frustrated and would either take yogi squat or take child’s pose – essentially cope out. If there is one thing I know about myself, it’s that when I am not good at something immediately, I make excuses and check out. Yoga has allowed me to see that in myself.
In one particular class, about 6 months after practicing yoga consistently, I had a teacher tell me that I was in fact strong enough crow and that it isn’t about muscling your way through the pose. At the time I was definitely going through a phase of feeling not good enough. I was in physical therapy school and I can say the amount of studying I had to accomplish was testing my inner strength and self worth. So to hear a teacher say to me I am strong enough was exactly what I needed to hear that day in class. I am just glad I actually heard her because sometimes I am not present enough to see the signs of my own strength. That day I really listened to all of my teacher’s cues and flew into crow – for all of five seconds before falling on my face. And let me tell you those five seconds were magical.
This is why I love teaching crow in class. To see a yogi fly the first time, jump back to chaturanga with ease, or just hold their crow for longer than they thought possible is really why I love teaching. Being able to lift yogis up to their own strength is what always keeps me coming back for more.
With that said, here are a few tips to flying your crow:
- Bring your hands shoulder distance apart (maybe a touch wider), spread your fingertips really wide from each other, and make sure our hands are facing towards the top of your mat. This allows for good wrist alignment (less like to induce pain) AND the more surface area you have, the easier it is to balance!
- Keep your gaze about six inches in front of your finger tips. As the saying goes, where your attention goes your energy flows. Keeping your eyes forward keeps your weight moving forward so you get light in your feet.
- Pull your tummy up and in towards your spine. This gives you your core lock and allows you to maintain your balance.
If you are totally new to crow, place your feet on a block and then follow the above steps. By using a block, it allows you to find your balance in your fingertips more easily! So drop your thoughts and come from a place of “I am ready to fly now.”
In support of each others crows, grab a picture of you flying your crow and post it below. Here is mine! Crow on, yogis.
Shine on,
Jackie