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Crow Pose

crow-pose

bodyweightyoga

When you balance in Crow Pose, you should feel a light, electric lift through your entire spine as your arms become sturdy pillars. Your breath stays slow and steady, anchoring your gaze forward. Good reps feel less like a heavy struggle and more like a controlled suspension, where your core and shoulders share the load evenly. I want you to experience that quiet, grounded strength every time you lift your feet.

Steps

  1. 1

    Squat deeply with your knees wide apart, placing your hands flat on the floor shoulder-width apart.

  2. 2

    Press firmly through your fingertips and palms, creating a solid tripod foundation.

  3. 3

    Lean your torso forward until your knees rest securely against the backs of your upper arms.

  4. 4

    Round your upper back slightly to create a natural shelf for your shins.

  5. 5

    Inhale deeply, then exhale as you slowly lift one foot, then the other, off the ground.

  6. 6

    Draw your navel toward your spine and keep your gaze fixed on the floor about a foot ahead.

  7. 7

    Hold the balanced position for three full breaths while maintaining steady pressure through your hands.

  8. 8

    Exhale and gently lower both feet to the floor, returning to your starting squat.

If you're new to this

Focus on leaning your weight forward before attempting to lift your feet; this shifts your center of gravity over your wrists and prevents tipping backward. You will feel intense engagement in your triceps, shoulders, and deep abdominal muscles. If your wrists begin to ache sharply, or if your lower back starts to arch excessively, gently lower your feet and reset. Failure in this pose feels like a sudden collapse forward or a loss of wrist stability, so always practice over a soft surface. Beginners often compensate by keeping their hips too high, which strains the shoulders. Instead, actively round your spine and hug your knees tightly into your triceps. Trust your arm strength, keep your breathing rhythmic, and remember that wobbling is completely normal as your nervous system learns the new balance pattern. Celebrate every second you stay light and lifted.

Common mistakes

Most practitioners keep their hips too high and lean too little, which forces the shoulders to bear all the weight without the necessary forward counterbalance. Another frequent error is looking straight down at the floor, which collapses the neck and shifts the center of gravity backward, causing an immediate tip. Many also forget to engage their core, letting the belly sag and disconnecting the legs from the upper body. Finally, locking the elbows completely removes the micro-adjustments needed for stability, turning the arms into rigid poles rather than responsive supports.

Informational only. Not medical, fitness, or dietary advice. Consult a qualified professional before starting any new programme. Read the safety policy →