How to do Crow Pose in 3 steps | For Beginners | Yogbela
How to Do Crow Pose (Bakasana)
A step-by-step guide
1. Start in a Low Squat (Malasana)
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Bring your feet hip-width apart or slightly wider.
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Knees open wide.
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Keep your heels on the floor if you can; if not, stay on your toes.
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Place your hands firmly on the ground shoulder-width apart, fingers spread.
2. Prepare Your Foundation
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Bend your elbows slightly toward the back, like in Chaturanga, not outward.
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Lift your hips a bit higher so your knees can squeeze onto your upper arms or triceps.
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Keep your gaze forward, not down—this helps with balance.
3. Engage Your Core
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Draw your belly in to activate your center.
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Shift your weight slowly into your hands.
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Rise to the balls of your feet, keeping knees securely on your arms.
4. Lift Off Slowly
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Lift one foot off the ground.
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Keep breathing.
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When balanced, lift the other foot.
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Bring your big toes together if you can.
5. Hold the Pose
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Continue looking forward.
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Straighten your arms as much as is comfortable.
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Keep the core tight and the back rounded slightly.
Beginner goal: hold for 3–5 seconds.
Intermediate goal: 10–20 seconds.
Tips for Success
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Look forward, not straight down. This is the #1 mistake beginners make.
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Grip the mat with your fingertips.
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Rest your knees higher on your arms; low placement makes balancing harder.
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Try placing a pillow in front of you for confidence.
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Warm up wrists first (circles, table-top shifts).
Common Mistakes
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Elbows winging outward → makes the arms collapse.
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Looking down → causes tipping forward.
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Not engaging the core → legs feel heavy.
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Knees too low on arms → hard to hold.
Simple Progressions if You’re Not There Yet
1. Crow Pose with Toes on a Block
2. One-Foot Crow
Practice lifting one foot at a time.
3. Tuck Plank Holds
Strengthens the core needed for the lift.
4. Frog Stand (from hand balancing)
A great prep for wrist, balance, and elbow placement.
Safety Notes
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Avoid if you have wrist or elbow injuries.
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Practice on a soft surface if falling worries you.
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