Posture of the month: Parsva Kakasana (Side Crow Pose)
Crane or Crow - which bird are we dealing with?
In November, we are practicing Parsva Kakasasana, the Side Crow.
The Sanskrit name is made up of three syllables: Parsva (side), Kaka (crow) and Asana (seat / pose / posture). It’s easily mistaken for Bakasana (which translates to Crane Pose). The difference? In crow, your arms are slightly bent whereas in crane, they are stretched out.
Parsva Kakasana requires strength in your core, upper body and spine, and flexibility in your hips. To get there, you need to engage your obliques, take a deep twist, and stack both knees against one of your elbows, instead of resting them on your elbows like you would in the classic Crow Pose.
The benefits of practicing Parsva Kakasana
Parsva Kakasana is a great posture to practice if you want to work your way up to more advanced arm balances like Koundinyasana & Co. And whilst it looks tricky, with the right technique it is quite achievable. Join us for our our POM workshop with Luke Edmiston on 5 November, to learn exactly how to get into, and out of, the Side Crow. Here are the benefits you will reap if you keep practicing the Side Crow:
Gain strength in your arms, elbows, wrists and shoulders
Increase the flexibility of your spine
Strengthen your core muscles.
The abdominal organs (e.g. pancreas, kidneys, liver, intestines, etc) are stimulated which can help improve your digestion
In stretching the back, it improves improves spinal alignment and optimises the blood flow to the spine.
The Side Crow activates you manipura chakra (= solar plexus), which increases your confidence, personal power and self control.
Practicing Parsva Kakasana improves balance, focus and coordination
Activating your Manipura Chakra
Parsva Kakasana is said to activate or energise the Manipura chakra, located in our Solar Plexus region. This chakra, the 3rd one, is in charge of your self-worth, confidence, and motivation - the way you express yourself. Ruled by the fire element of fire, it encourages you to step out and leave your mark on the world, with a sense of purpose and free will. It helps you become (and remain) aware of who you are and what you stand for.
This chakra defines how you enter into active relationships with other people and the world at large. When it is alive and well, you feel excitement and drive, and are confident in your creative abilities: “The world is my oyster and I can accomplish anything I set my mind to.”
If, on the other hand, this chakra is blocked, you may be feeling anxious and insecure. This chakra is connected to the whole digestive system: your belly, your lower back and your autonomic nervous system. When it is out of order, digestive issues may arise - both on a physical and/or an emotional level. How often do we, for example, say that someone “can’t stomach these news”. In the last few years, there has been extensive research into the gut-brain connection, and scientific evidence has shown that our gastrointestinal tract is sensitive to emotion. Anger, anxiety, sadness, elation — all of these feelings (and others) can trigger symptoms in the gut.
As the ancient yogis would put it, this is your Manipura Chaka reflecting a sense of powerlessness, doubts in your own capacities or value, or a sense of feeling ‘out of control’. Victim mentality or a sense of being controlled by forces other than yourself may play a role here: when your power isn’t in your own hands, your stomach rebels.
What is needed? Fire! Maybe healthy anger to enforce justice. The will to succeed. That “grrr” moment of stepping into your power and fighting for what’s dear and true for you. Switching your light on, and shining it to where it’s needed the most…
So are you ready to learn and master Parsva Kakasana? Then come along to Flex regularly and practice with us! There are over 25 classes/week, and we will practice it daily during all of November 2022!
This month, we thank Tummee.com, Effie Psiachoulia from the Neda Yoga Shala team and Health Harvard Publishing for the insights that have informed this blog post.