Yoga Teachers Companion #14: The Key to Bakasana and Other Arm Balances

This episode breaks down the single most important key to practicing and teaching Bakasana and other arm balances.

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CHAPTERS
0:27 The most important tip for arm balancing

1:09 The most common error in arm balancing

2:12 Examples of moving forward into arm balancing

4:08 Understanding where your balance point is

8:31 Practicing Crow Pose (Crane Pose, Bakasana)

10:59 Practicing Side Crow Pose (Side Crane, Parsva Bakasana)

11:47 Practicing Eka Pada Galavasana

14:25 Practicing transitions into arm balances

ABOUT JASON:
Jason Crandell is a natural teacher and author with more than 20 years of experience. Named “one of the teachers shaping the future of yoga,” by Yoga Journal, Jason has been an in-demand teacher at conferences around the world for more than a decade.

For the past 10 years, Jason has honed his approach by looking to peers outside of the yoga community, in the fields of physical therapy, orthopedics, traumatology, and sports medicine. These collaborative partnerships have enabled Jason to offer the most up-to-date to asana technique, cueing, injury management, and hands-on adjustments. Jason’s goal is to blend the timeless wisdom of yoga philosophy with evidence-based information to create yoga curriculum that helps modern practitioners grow and evolve.

[zzillla]

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! I watched until 8 mins and got into my first Bakasana :) Wow!

[lovstoned]

that's simply brilliant. BRILLIANT. thank you

[kathleenwoods]

This is so Illuminating....Thank you so much! You have made it so clear and easy to understand. I immediately know what I am doing wrong and cannot wait to try it out! Thank You again!

[colinbramble]

Thanks AGAIN Jason - The breakdown of these balances/concepts were clear in my mind when I listened via podcast, but after seeing it here it's like I can see the future! Peace

[nani]

Dios mio!! Es la primera vez que puedo hacer bakasana y todo gracias a esta instrucción. Tienes una fan

[maryliwanagyoga]

Oh so timely. I am strong enough, but I sometimes lift my feet and fall backwards. Now I know why! Thank you, Jason.

[CristinaMolinaYoga]

High-quality content always... Amazing

[FCPCPF]

Thank you for the tip. I have always stuggled in BKSN. Will try this and see how it pans out ❤❤

[pambell]

I've listened to all the "teachers companion" podcasts...now, I'm catching up on "watching". I see NOW that I'm not placing hands forward enough in eka pada galavasana to get the forward motion like I do in bakasana. Thanks!!

[utegunn]

For the past two years, it has been my goal to get into Bakasana. I think the physical attributes are there, but the mental attribute lags behind. This breakdown may be just what I need. The physics of where the point of balance is: so obvious, but never really sunk in until now. No more of the feet flapping for me. Thanks Jason.

[anitavirginillo]

Best way I've ever heard it explained. Thanks!

[buildyourownhuman]

Very nice, but you do kakasana... bakasana is crane pose, straight arms... I always teach it with the explanation to lean forward until the feet lift on their own. After a 3 second hold, you can lift the feet towards the hips.

[DiaryofaChubbyYogi]

Really chuckled when you said “biffed it up”. Beautiful expression. Feels straight out of the ‘50s

[cvhdyyx]

Thx so much.. Great tips.. Now i know where i went wrong.. Namaste

[renatamaldo]

Thank you very much Jason, the best class I have ever receive!
I will let you know how did it worked.

[krysna]

Muchísimas gracias por estas maravillosas enseñanzas. 🙏

[keshavamurthy]

Wonderful, you are a great teacher man!

[ireneflores]

Woooowwww!!! Thank you for sharing your knowledge!

[meaperkins]

So helpful! You articulate things like no other! Thank you for this content.

[iryna]

The best explanations of bakasana... Thank you.