Vinyala

Pose sheet

One-Legged Crane Pose A

Eka Pāda Bakāsana Aएक पाद बकासन A

Balance on straight arms, one knee supported and the other leg reaching back and up.

Open this pose in the 3D body

Steps

Support

Both palms and fingers; head and feet lifted.

Enter

  1. From Crow, place your knees close to your armpits.
  2. Keep your hands shoulder-width apart, with your fingers spread.
  3. Draw your left knee toward your chest; keep your right supported.
  4. Lean forward; extend your left leg back and up.
  5. Straighten your arms and lift your head, keeping it off the floor.

Hold

  1. Press the floor away and keep your shoulder blades spread.
  2. Draw your right knee toward your chest; press against your arm.
  3. Reach your chest forward to counterbalance your extended leg.
  4. Keep your left knee straight and point both feet.

Exit

  1. Bend your left knee and lower your toes to the floor.
  2. Lower your right foot and return to a squat.
  3. Repeat with the legs switched.
Breathing
Breathe naturally throughout the hold.
Gaze
Look at the floor slightly ahead of your hands.
Duration
Five breaths per side.

Adapt

Adaptations

  • Back foot groundedKeep your left toes grounded while establishing the counterbalance.
  • Back leg tuckedKeep your left knee bent before extending your leg.
  • Block under one footSupport your right foot on a low block; extend your left.
  • Foot against the wallPlace your left forefoot against the wall, above hip height.

Variations

  • Eka Pāda Bakāsana B: leg forward, over the other arm.
  • Eka Pāda Bakāsana I: horizontal leg, plates 446–447.

Signals of effort

  • Body weight on both hands, with the wrists extended.
  • Balancing without support from the feet or head.
  • One knee presses against an arm; the other leg stays lifted.
  • Inversion and crown support during the traditional entry from Tripod.