248 • PART III: YogA foR EduCATIng foR SElf-REgulATIon And EngAgEmEnT
and legs (Flynn, 2013). Kayla is facing the camera for the photo. When practicing, ask stu-
dents to face forward and present their chests forward. Direct them to kick their back legs
directly behind them. To modify, you can support students by giving them a strap to help
reach their lifted foot (students with tight hips have trouble here).
Crow Pose
Crow Pose is an arm balance that strengthens the arms and the core. It requires strength and
persistence (see principle 8, I do the work). It can be helpful to put your hands on blocks
to create access for those with tighter hips. Also, when practicing, place a blanket or pillow
in front of the hands to break the landing if the student falls forward. A modification is to
encourage a student to sit in a deep squat, or do a series of squats, and work on stretching
and strengthening through the hips.
Pose Dancer Pose
Instruct From Mountain Pose, press your right foot into your mat, bringing your
awareness to the center line of your right foot. Lift your left foot, bend at
the knee, and take your ankle or sole of your foot into the palm of your left
hand. Present your chest forward and up, look forward, pull your naval to your
spine, lift the crown of your head up, and kick into your hand, opening your
hip flexor. Press down into your mat with your foot and reach even higher
with your chest and head.
Anchor Point The inner rim of your grounded foot, your belly, and the connection of your
hand and lifted foot. The local point is forward and up.
Breath Work Slow deep intentional breaths. Watch for holding breath during balance
poses.Photograph by Madison Weber; model Kayla Tiedemann.
Source: Flynn, 2013; Herrington, 2012; Walsh, 2008.