Crow Pose (Bakasana): How to Do It, Benefits & Cautions
An arm balance lifting the body with knees resting on the upper arms.
Level: Advanced · Hold: 15 seconds · Type: Balance · Target areas: Arms & Wrists, Core & Abs
Benefits ✨
- Strengthens the arms and wrists
- Builds core and focus
- Develops a sense of balance
Step by step 🧘
1) Squat down and place both hands shoulder-width on the floor.
2) Rest your knees high on your upper arms, near the armpits.
3) Exhale, shift your weight into your hands, and slowly lift your feet.
4) Gaze slightly forward and balance with your core.
Breathing and cautions 🌬️
Exhale to shift weight into the hands and lift the feet.
- Avoid with wrist injuries; place a cushion in front for falls
Helpful props: Block
How Yoga Play recognizes Crow Pose 📱
Yoga Play finds your shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees, and ankles in the camera image, then measures the height and angle of each joint relative to your torso length and compares them with the rules for the pose. When every rule is met, the skeleton turns green and the hold timer starts running.
If you drift out of the pose, hints like these appear on screen:
- Round your back and lift your hips
- Lift your feet off the floor
- Press firmly into your hands
Joint angles read from the sample photo above: knee about 64°, hip about 36°, elbow about 165°. These come from a single photo, so they vary with body proportions and camera angle.
This sample photo passes every recognition rule in the app, so the skeleton is drawn in green.
Related guides 🔗
A good pose to follow with: Child's Pose
A resting pose that folds the torso forward over kneeling legs to release the whole body.
Yoga Play Pose Guide - All 26 Yoga Poses at a Glance
Browse all 26 yoga poses by level, each with the skeleton recognized by the app.
Yoga Play - Auto Pose Tracker
A yoga app that recognizes your pose with the camera in real time and automatically logs how long you hold it. Practice properly at home with 26 poses, 10 flows, and voice guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How long should I hold Crow Pose?
Yoga Play sets a default target of 15 seconds. The timer runs only while the pose is recognized, and you can adjust hold times in flows.
Is Crow Pose suitable for beginners?
Crow Pose is an advanced pose. Try it only once you have enough strength and preparation, ideally with a wall or a teacher's support at first.
How does Yoga Play check Crow Pose?
It finds your key joints in real time with the phone camera and compares them with the rules for the pose. While the rules are met, the skeleton turns green and your hold time is logged. Video is processed only on your device.