FitSugar

Strike a Yoga Pose: Side Crow

FitSugar — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 10:00:18 PST

Good ol' Crow post perfectly illustrates that yoga is not all about stretching. Arm balances take arm strength and a balanced core. The twisted variation known as Side Crow may look more difficult than your basic Crow, but some people find it's actually easier. This pose strengthens your shoulders and abs, and the twisting will also increase flexibility in your lower back.

Sanskrit Name: Parsva Bakasana
English Translation: Side Crane Pose
Also Called: Side Crow

Learn the details of the pose when you

Favorite Crow Pose

FitSugar — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 09:02:00 PST

Thank you to kevindineen, suzanne and her husband (grandfather of 9) for trying out Crow pose. You were all awesome, but the award must go to the person who took the challenge and ran with it!.

birdwoman tried Crow pose and took it to a whole other level and showed us her Side Crow. I was so amazed at her balance, grace, and beauty. She made it look like she was floating in space without a care in the world. Talk about inspirational.

And now let's get ready for the latest Yoga challenge called Eagle pose.

Give this balancing pose your best shot and submit your photos to the IYOGA CHALLENGE group. Your picture could be my next favorite.

Details on Drew Barrymore's Affectionate Date Night With Will

Lauren Turner — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 12:58:28 PST

Details on Drew and her fiancé's sweet premiere date night - People
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Joan Rivers rants about Chelsea Handler - D-Listed
Which famous guys wear their hair in buns? - The Frisky
Gwen Stefani gets back in the studio with No Doubt - JustJared
Check out Kate Beckinsale's hottest red carpet moments - Insider
Does George Clooney approve of Stacy Keibler's casual side? - Hollywood Tuna
Heidi Klum steps out for the first time since split news - Pink Is the New Blog
Ashton Kutcher parties during the Demi Moore drama - The Superficial
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Sofia Vergara doesn't mind stereotypes - The Daily Beast
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Russell Crowe responds to Ryan Gosling's Oscars snub - I'm Not Obsessed
Michael Jackson's kids will participate in his hand and footprint ceremony - Hollywood Reporter

How to Master Scissor Legs Side Crow Pose

Jenny Sugar — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 13:23:43 PDT

Even if you've never done regular ol' Crow Pose, you can master this advanced variation of this arm balance with the right preparation. Yoga arm balances may look straight out of Cirque du Soleil and impossible, but breaking the poses down step by step can help you master them. Try out this sequence of yoga poses to stretch your hip flexors, increase the flexibility of your spine, and build your upper-body strength so the next time you hit the mat, you'll be able to do Scissor Legs Side Crow.

Anne Hathaway to Dream a Dream in Les Misérables

Becky Kirsch — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 10:39:58 PDT

Anne Hathaway crooned "On My Own" as an Oscar host earlier this year, but soon she'll be taking her show tunes to the big screen. Hathaway will star as Fantine in Les Misérables, opposite Hugh Jackman as Jean Valjean and Russell Crowe as Javert. The actress has been rumored to join the project for a few months now, and considering how desperate she is to be on Glee, it's no surprise that she's willing to show off her pipes for film. For those of you who aren't familiar with the story, Fantine is a factory worker-turned- prostitute who gives up her daughter to Valjean before she passes away. Every time another actor is added to this cast, I get a little more excited; Hathaway has the acting chops and theatrical experience to pull off the role, and I can't wait to see her singing side-by-side with Jackman again. How do you feel about this casting news?

Strike a Yoga Pose: Cobra

FitSugar — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PDT

Some yoga poses require a ton of strength such as Crow, and other poses involve balance such as Standing Hand to Big Toe. Then there are those poses that are all about relaxing and gently stretching your muscles. Cobra is one of those poses that's all about feeling good and breathing. As you increase flexibility in your spine, you are also opening your shoulders and chest (heart), which makes you feel light and ready to give and accept love.

Sanskrit Name: Bhujangasana
English Translation: Cobra Pose
Also Called: Snake

Lie on your belly, on either a thick yoga mat, cotton rug, or a carpeted surface. Since your hip bones will be on the ground, you want to make sure they are padded and won't bruise. If you were doing some standing or seated poses before this, feel free to take a vinyasa to get back to Downward Facing Dog, and then come to lie on your belly.
Bring your legs together so your knees are touching. Then extend your arms straight out in front of you.
As you lift your head up off the ground, begin to slowly walk your hands in, keeping your hips and thighs on the ground, but gently arching your lower back. Walk them in as far as you want, keeping your elbows slightly bent. If your back is really flexible, you can begin to straighten your arms.
Actively roll your shoulders back and down away from your ears, elongating your neck. Keep looking in front of you, or if you want more of a stretch, drop your head back between your shoulder blades.
Stay here, opening through the chest, making sure to relax all your muscles (don't clench your butt). Take deep breaths, at least 5 or more, and then slowly lower your chest back to the ground. Lay your arms next to the sides of your body and bring one cheek to the ground.
When you're ready, you can bring your hands by your shoulders, press into your arms, bend your knees and come into Child's pose to release your lower back and neck.