Bakāsana (Sanskrit: बकासन, Crane Pose), often used interchangeably with Kakāsana(Sanskrit: काकासन, Crow Pose) is an asana in hatha yoga. In all variations, this is an arm balancing pose in which hands are planted on the floor, shins rest upon upper arms, and feet lift up.
The asana strengthens the shoulders, arms, wrists and hands, as well as the core muscles and organs of the abdomen.
The two names for the asana come from the Sanskrit words baka (“crane”) or kak (“crow”), and asana (आसन) meaning “posture” or “seat”.
1. Leg Stretch
2. Crow Pose
3. Handstand
While different yoga lineages use one name or another for the asana, Dharma Mittra makes a distinction, citing Kakasana as being with arms bent (like the shorter legs of a crow) and Bakasana with arms straight (like the longer legs of a crane).[5] In the west, practitioners often mistranslate the Sanskrit “Bakasana” as the English “Crow Pose”.
Many people suffer from tight leg muscles. A very common cause of leg tightness is due to the amount of time we spend sitting throughout the work day. As our knees are bent in this position, the muscles that flex the knee joint become used to being in this shortened position. We also tend to get a little tighter as we age and our muscles lose a bit of water content and extensibility.
Tight leg muscles can predispose one to injury during daily and recreational activities, and it may contribute to the development of back pain, although. To prevent this, it is important to perform leg stretching exercises to loosen tight muscles.
Performing daily leg stretches is one activity that should be incorporated into your daily exercise routine
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