A journal of sorts, a blog of sorts, a place for keeping and sharing words and thoughts
Discover the myth and story behind Crow pose, one of the most popular arm balances in yoga. Crow pose is often mistakenly called Bakasana - which is actually Crane pose, the progression of Crow pose where the arms are straight. The Sanskrit name for Crow Pose is Kakasana - very onomatopoeic! What is the story behind it, and what can we learn from this pose and the mythology?
I’m a big believer in moving in life with Intention. When we set out to do something, if we lead with fear, rather than intention, there is likely to be hesitation, second-guessing, and more often than not, we miss opportunities that the universe lays out for us, so busy are we, looking over our shoulder for what might come behind us, and worrying too far forward about what disaster could possibly happen. Our instinct isn’t to look for the magic we may create!
There is no denying the power of words. If you’ve ever read a story that moved you, a quote that lifted your heart, or flinched at harsh words thrown at you, then you know that the old adage is disproven - sticks and stones can break your bones, but words will leave a mark inside forever.
Words can be wielded like weapons or tools - creating something, or tearing things apart. The yogic concept of ahimsa - non-violence - applies as much to the way we speak to and about ourselves and others, as well as how we act physically. The tone of voice, the language we use - it is as important when directed inwards as outwards. Really internalizing that realisation was perhaps the greatest turning point for me in coming out of an eating disorder, and talking to myself with far more love and kindness. I stopped picking apart my body in the mirror, or questioning why I wasn't a different kind of person. I decided to talk more kindly to myself, and it created a huge shift. The mantra “I am enough” has become my anchor - and I talked about this in an interview on mindful parenting on the Here for You for Them website.
Mantras or affirmations are hugely effective and impactful, but I want to talk about something different. What about the power of a single word?
If you’re reading this then you may already know what I’m talking about.
I think.
If you’re reading this you may already know that asana for a start is the Sanskrit term for the physical postures that we tend to look at and call yoga.
If you’ve come to this page, you may already know that yoga is a lot more than just the physical postures. You may perhaps know that in addition to physical poses, practicing meditation, breath control (pranayama), moral codes of behaviour to yourself and to others, and reaching the ultimate aim of stilling the mental chatter is the aim of YOGA…. so hence “yoga is not just asana”.
Why am I stating things that you may already know, especially if you are visiting a yoga website?
Well, because this blog is not just about asana either,
