28/11/2022
Bakasana / Crane Pose / Postura de la Grulla
🇬🇧Bakasana (Crane Pose) is an arm balancing asana. In Sanskrit, Baka means crane, and asana means posture. Bakasana helps to tone the abs and strengthen the forearms, wrists, and shoulders. It increases endurance, focus, and stability. It also helps to maintain a calm mind.
Usually, I don't write the pose History, but I think this is a good one:
Bakasana comes from the narrative in the epic, 'Mahabharatha' - Baka or crane is the ogre which inhabited the forest where the Pancha Pandavas brothers lived in exile for 12 years. One day, the oldest one felt thirsty. He sent his brothers to get water from the nearby lake, but no one returned. He started to worry and began to look for them. When he arrived at the lake, he found that all his brothers were dead. He saw a Baka (Crane) who helped him figure out how they died. Baka told him that he had warned his brothers that if they drink the water in the lake without his permission, it would turn into poison, and they would die.
Listening to this, Yudhishthira tried to analyze the situation with calm. He realized that Baka was not the enemy. Baka offered water to Yudhishthira, provided he answered 124 questions. After a while, the Ogre was pleased with Yudhishthira's answers and allowed him to drink as much water as he desired, and he would revive one of his brothers. Yudhishthira then chose his stepbrother Nakula. Astonished by his decision, Baka enquired him the reason, and Yudhishthira answered that this was the only way he could show gratitude and honor to both of his mothers. His thoughtful choice and sacrifice won over Baka's heart, and he revived all his brothers.
The story represents how communication and the right mindset can turn an enemy into a friend. Bakasana gives a strong-determined mind and the ability to show kindness and forgiveness (as Baka, the forest Ogre). The practice of his asana balances the mind and gives a sense of control in all situations.
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