Tag: balance

Lisa’s Asana 101 | Bakasana | Crane | Crow

 

~5 MINUTES 4 POSITIVE CHANGE~

Crane Pose
Sanskrit: Bakasana
Benefits: Crane pose strengthens the arms and wrists, stretches the upper back, strengthens the core muscles, and opens the groin.

Lisa's Asana 101 | Bakasana | Crane or Crow

Lisa’s Asana 101
Just as I was a writing this I heard a very loud splat hit my window. I looked up as I saw some feathers float away. My hubby and I ran out to see what it was, and found a baby cardinal dazed and confused in the grass by my Four O Clocks.

My first reaction was to scoop him up so I did, just like a baby chick, holding down his wings. He squawked, then I began to talk to him and reassure him. I then felt Reiki energy giving him rest. He closed his eyes! He even began to slow his breathing down, as I walked around front and placed him back into his regular bush by my hummingbird feeder.

He gently walked onto the branch and is doing just fine!

What a little gift from above this Memorial Day.

When I first began to attempt this asana I would place folded blankets in front of me as a ‘crash pad’. Another prop we often use in class is setting two cork blocks end to end in the center of the mat. Come onto your hands and look up, bringing your knees all the way up to the back of your triceps or hug your knees around your arms as close to the underarms as possible. Step your toes up onto the blocks and lift up the belly.

Utilizing upper abdominal lock, Udhyana Bandha, is essential to get the lift you will need to fly! Practice lifting one foot and point the toes, then the other. Eventually you will lift both and take flight! This arm balance is very attainable. It may take you months or years, or may come easy.

I encourage you to take flight as you continue to practice Bakasana. Fall, crash, but get up and try again! The rewards of this posture are amazing.

Namaste.
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The Musings of an Uncomfortable Yogini

FeelingsI am practicing balance in my life.
While this seems like it may be easy or obvious, I realize that I am truly mistaken.
To create balance we must first step back and observe the imbalance. As with everything on this plane of existence, it all has its equal and opposing force. That is the beauty of life. When we become out of balance it is difficult to see the beauty around us and in ourselves for the obstacles that are in our path.
How do we know when we are in balance unless we first experience imbalance. By checking in with discomfort in something or someone or ourselves, without judgment, we can appreciate when we are comforted and comfortable.
What is discomfort? Why does human nature crave comfort? Comfort =nurturing= care= love. Perhaps then discomfort= lacking= not desirable = labeled bad by society, even judged.
The uncomfortable are the ones that suffer. Ah, yes this brings us to the study of Yoga. Suffering is the cause of all discomfort. The Bhagavad Gita states:
Sufferings or freedom from it is desirable, yes? So this leads into exploring desire, another human want. As I struggle with my eight year old daughter and her discomfort of her wardrobe choices I reflect about her desires to change her clothes. After deciding that corporal punishment is not the best solution for her total meltdown in the back seat of the car, I reflect.
I’m actually the observer this time. I’m able to see this situation without getting my emotions all wrapped up and entwined in the situation. However, I ask myself why does my daughter seem to let this discomfort of the situation (right now it happens to be her itchy, hot leggings) rule her? What can I do? Do I question my ability as a parent? Do I do nothing and drive on? I choose action, as she must get out of the car and go to third grade, wet eyes, un-brushed hair and all.
I park and get out, open her door and wonder if she might be embarrassed if her friends think she was crying. My heart melts a bit, but this is her creation, she must live it through. I send her on her way with a loving pat, and the helpful hand of a teacher walking past, and drive away.
I begin to muse about our human nature. What IS reality? Is it what we perceive? Why do we fight it? Reality just is!
Parenting is never easy or simple, but it is so valuable; raising ‘small people’ as we call them, to become healthy, strong, happy, kind and productive citizens of society. As in yoga, we are always the student, in parenting the child may be our teacher.
We may be in for a bit more discomfort down this long, unpaved road. As I travel my path, I will seek to find that balance weekly, daily, hourly, One foot in front of the other, the middle way.

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