Eka Pada Koundinyasana I

Eka Pada Koundinyasana I

Arm Balance

EKA PADA KOUNDINYASANA I

If Side Crow is already part of our practice, then Eka Pada Koundinyasana I is like adding on another layer to that posture, because they are quite similar. The added layer is that we extend the top leg behind us, splitting it from the bottom leg.

As with any arm balance, we can encounter some challenges. A common occurrence when sending that top leg back is losing the “sweet spot” of the counterbalance.  

The good news is that there are actions, articulations, and variations we can engage in to conquer these challenges. In today’s video, Matt demonstrates a variety of ways to approach Eka Pada Koundinyasana I that will meet us where we are in the development of this pose.

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BACK ON THE MAT VARIATION

Unless it is a regular part of our practice, attempting Eka Pada Koundinyasana I may feel discouraging. The pieces may not come together as we want them to, or in the timeline we desire—but this is where the practice happens. It’s our opportunity to take intentional action in the direction of growth, while learning to release the outcomes.

What we also have in our favor is guidance. Matt offers a first variation that lays a foundation. It’s in a supine position, which allows us to focus our well-placed efforts on the nuances and to strengthen in order to prepare for the variations in which balance is required.

One of the key takeaways is this: Just because we are supine doesn’t mean we don’t stay active in our bodies. For example, we use a high degree of abdominal engagement to draw the front leg higher onto the supportive arm.

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EKA PADA KOUNDINYASANA I: GO FORWARD, LIFT HIGHER

KICKSTAND SETUP

We may also find it difficult to lift both legs off the ground. Practicing by attempting to lift only one leg may help us gain a sense of what’s required. Using the front foot as a kickstand can allow us to explore what it feels like to lift in the back leg while we contemplate how much we need to go forward with the torso in order to lift the back leg higher. Once we feel secure and strong enough, we can slowly start to play with the idea of bringing the front foot forward and eventually lifting that foot off the ground. This kickstand variation of Eka Pada Koundinyasana I offers us the assurance that until we find full flight, the front foot can remain as a base while we work on muscle engagement and pelvic articulations.

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SLIDE WITH SOCKS

Just like in last week’s article about Eka Pada Koundinyasana II, wearing socks as a prop to assist in sliding the front foot forward can make Eka Pada Koundinyasana I more accessible.

Here too, progression and advancement are in the finer details. It’s not uncommon to find it challenging to keep the bottom leg in place on the upper arm. To help with this, Matt teaches us to rotate the pelvis in a way that the “top pelvis” does a hip hike, which will help roll the bottom leg up the arm. Achieving this effectively makes the posture more vertical, which helps us not have to lean forward as much. Matt compares it to how we understand the way a handstand works: When it’s stacked more vertically, we can rely on less counterbalance and become more weightless, therefore maintaining better access to the posture.

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EKA PADA KOUNDINYASANA I CHAIR INVESTIGATION

If we’re not quite ready to take flight, this variation of Eka Pada Koundinyasana I on a chair may be the perfect option. In many ways, it’s similar to the kickstand setup. We start off by keeping the bottom foot on the ground, then placing the top foot on a chair behind us (best to have a chair that doesn’t roll or slide). Once we feel secure, we can start to extend the bottom leg forward. Don’t forget to lean forward to actually be able to extend that leg!  

This exploration with a chair takes some weight off of the posture, creating a pathway towards building enough strength for the ability to take flight in this arm balance.

If you want to unlock more access to arm balances like this one, register for Matt’s next 2-hour online arm balance workshop, Step into the Fire.

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Article by Trish Curling

Video Extracted From: Flow and Fly Immersion 

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Eka Pada Koundinyasana I

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Eka Pada Koundinyasana IArm BalanceEKA PADA KOUNDINYASANA I If Side Crow is already part of our practice, then Eka Pada Koundinyasana I is like adding on another layer to that posture, because they are quite similar. The added layer is that we extend the top leg...

read more

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One Legged Crow

One-Legged Crow

3 Building Blocks Before Flight

eka pada bakasana

One-Legged Crow

LEAN FORWARD! If it’s one thing you’ll cozy up with when it comes to One-Legged Crow, it will be your ability to LEAN FORWARD!  In a yoga posture like One-Legged Crow, the fear of leaning more forward can be quite real. Your first instinct will be to lean back in order to avoid falling, but when you practice with Matt, it’s guaranteed you’ll be provided with the tools for a safe and strong progression to this incredible arm balance. What you’ll come away with today is a better understanding of how to set up your environment; in addition, you’ll become more familiar with what’s required of your wrists and with techniques to make One-Legged Crow more accessible within your yoga practice.

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WHERE TO PLACE YOUR AWARENESS

There’s no doubt that the adductors, hamstrings, and glute muscles play a role in lifting the back leg in One-Legged Crow, but Matt explains that more emphasis and awareness should be placed on creating more mobility in the flexors of the wrist, for wrist extension in order to lean forward. Leaning forward shifts the pendulum of weight, making your lower body much lighter and keeping the leg at a certain height; therefore less effort is required to lift the back leg with the aforementioned muscles. Otherwise, the secret lies in building strength in your upper body. In addition to strengthening the flexors of the wrist (more on that here), activating the rotator cuff muscles, in particular the external rotators (infraspinatus and teres minor) along with the internal rotators (subscapularis and teres major) will help to create more stability in your arm balances. 

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ONE LEGGED CROW: 3 BUILDING BLOCKS BEFORE FLIGHT

A GREAT PLACE TO START

The first thing Matt advises you to do, once you’re ready to explore variations of One-Legged Crow, is to set up a number of couch cushions, bolsters, or pillows in front of you. Creating this support will allow you to have more confidence and trust in your willingness to lean forward.  If you fall, there’s a soft landing. 

The first drill supports the development of your ability to lean forward. Without a doubt, you’re developing strength in the flexors and extensors of the wrist and in the adductors, serratus anterior, and core. There’s no emphasis yet on lifting the back leg; as you’ll see in Matt’s demonstration, the back foot remains on top of yoga blocks while you work on the momentum of bringing the leg forward that hugs into your upper arm. In this drill, you are practicing One-Legged Crow with more control.

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ONE-LEGGED CROW PROGRESSIONS

Once the previous drill becomes less effortful, it’s time to progress. In the video, you’ll see how Matt breaks it down.

Option 1

First, you take one leg outside the upper arm; the other foot stays on the ground. Second, you’ll lean forward while gripping the ground. Third, you might find the ability to pull your knee into your chest (similarly to Lolasana).

Progressing even further requires that your environment be primed with cushions, as Matt recommends. The next variation levels up in challenge quite significantly.  

Option 2

First, place your head directly on top of soft cushions while you get into Crow Pose. Second, lift your bum high and squeeze your knees in. Third, pull one heel to the bum and then straighten the leg. If it’s available, you can take your gaze forward.

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FIND EASE WITHIN THE CHALLENGE

The actions that may feel difficult early on in your explorations of One-Legged Crow are the keys to finding ease later on. Gripping the ground, getting your hips up, and hugging the knees into your upper arms in all of the variations and drills that Matt demonstrates prepare you with the necessary strength within your body. Once this strength is fully integrated, your ability to lean forward will feel more safe and natural. In the video, Matt explains that ease in this posture actually comes in the final variation he demonstrates, because the body is now equipped with all of the techniques it needs.  

Matt’s current immersion, Flow and Fly, provides you with step-by-step techniques for over 12 arm balances. Sign up to learn how to find ease in flight.

See you on the mat!

The 200 Hr. Teacher Training: Click Here to See the Next Start Date

The 300 Hr. Advanced Teacher Training: Click Here to See the Next Start Date

Article by Trish Curling

Video Extracted From: Anatomy of Arm Balances

online classes for anatomy of arm balances

FLOW & FLY

MAY 2023 Immersion

  • 12 Vinyasa-style practices
  • Increase your cardiovascular activity
  • Foundational and advanced arm balance techniques
  • Improve balance and proprioception
  • Accessible modifications and sequences
  • Appropriate variations for your level of practice
  • Improve wrist, core, and shoulder strength
  • ALL LEVELS APPROPRIATE

$148.00

MORE INFORMATION

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read more
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Eka Pada Koundinyasana I

Eka Pada Koundinyasana I

Eka Pada Koundinyasana IArm BalanceEKA PADA KOUNDINYASANA I If Side Crow is already part of our practice, then Eka Pada Koundinyasana I is like adding on another layer to that posture, because they are quite similar. The added layer is that we extend the top leg...

read more

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When You Subscribe, You Will Get Instant Access to

  • the Technique Pack: 15 yoga pose breakdowns
  • exclusive online course discounts
  • exclusive blogs and videos
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

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