A Crane Gone Sideways: Parsva Bakasana

I used to think Sideways Crane was ambitious. Talk about negative thinking. I became midly obsessed, working on it daily until everything clicked. There were many face plants and failed takoffs, I assure you. Now this pose is as familiar to me as some of the other simplier balancing poses, like Bakasana. Here's a how-to including a sequence and pose recipe:

Sequence:

1. Jathara Parivartanasana
2. Marjaryasana
3. Adho Mukha Svanasana
4. Uttanasana
5. Jump to Adho Muhka Svanasana and back to Uttanasana. Repeat x5
6. Chaturanga Dandasana
7. Malasana
8. Pasasana
9. Bakasana
10. Parsva Bakasana
11. Paschimottanasana
12. Savasana

Recipe for Parsva Bakasana:

1. Crouch as if going into Malasana (Garland Pose)

2. Twist to the right and get the back of your left arm (tricep) to come as far over to the outside of the outer right thigh and as far up to the hip as possible

3. Place your left palm on the floor "locking" the left arm on the right thigh. Place your right palm on the floor making sure your hands are shoulder width apart. This is a CRUTIAL TIP. If your hands are too narrow, you won't have the broadness in the upper back necessary for this pose. If you're unsure, think of going slightly wider to broaden your stance with your hands. This was an essential step for me

4. Bring your weight forward into your hands and off your feet. Look ahead

5. Think of rounding your back, engaging your core, and compacting your legs. Think: suck the outer thighs in, suck your inner thighs together, and keep your feet touching. Another TIP: Feel as if your bottom right leg is helping to lift your top left leg

6. Take the weight completely off your feet, be brave, and voilà! You're in Parsva Bakasana

7. Most importantly: If it doesn't come, practice again and again. When it does come, you'll be perfectly perched in this beautiful pose

"Knowledge has no ends." - B.K.S. Iyengar

Get This