[VIDEO] Eric Buser Owns Crow Pose

Please meet Eric Buser. He is Mind Body Flow Yoga’s featured student for this month’s newsletter. Eric has a beautiful yoga practice and was generous in sharing it with us, as he demonstrates Crow Pose (Bakasana).

Mind Body Flow Yoga’s Very Own Eric Buser

Well, here’s that uncomfortable feeling again. This is the exact same feeling I had when I decided to attend yoga for the first time 5 months ago. Now, I was just asked to be a featured student in this month’s newsletter! What do I do!?
My yoga journey all started last July when my life was completely turned upside down. My marriage was in shambles, my wife was moving out and that word, “divorce” was front and center. To make matters worse, I was a daily drinker. Depression hit me like no other time in my life. I couldn’t eat or sleep, constantly thinking of all my problems and mistakes. I was a mess and lost 24 lbs. in 1 month.

Being a Type A personality, I wanted a solution to all this chaos in my life immediately! I figured “what the heck, I already lost the weight, might as well workout 2+ hours a day! Put myself back in “single” shape.” I thought this would be a good stress reliever. In some ways it helped; I was looking better and it was occupying my time, but I was doing nothing for myself mentally.
After reading an article about “Why men should do Yoga!” I was intrigued about all the benefits yoga can provide; flexibility, strength, increased body awareness, helps with anxiety and depression, reduces muscle tension, strain and inflammation, sharpens attention and concentration, and calms and centers the nervous system. Boy, doesn’t that all sound good.
My next challenge: How do I convince myself that I need to step out of that typical male stereotype and try something different? Then BAM, instant justification for this male brain of mine: “Good looking women everywhere!” I now had an air tight defense against ridicule from male co-workers, and friends.
The final challenge, but still the hardest, was getting the guts to go. What mat do I buy? What should I wear? Where do I “sit?” Is there yoga etiquette? After many google searches, I felt okay getting into the car. All my life I’ve been close-minded, it’s time to try something new!
So, I took the plunge and drove to MBFY. Sat in my car confused wondering why no lights were on. Then, thank God, I saw others carrying mats. I finally got the courage to walk through the door.
My first class was with Rebecca. After a few “What the (insert colorful language) does she want me to do” moments, I found myself focusing on myself, my body and my breathing. I was amazed at how challenging yoga was and how everyone else made it look easy. When class was over and we were in final savasana. I felt so relaxed and proud of what I accomplished, then it hit me. For the first time in a long time, all those negative thoughts about where my life was heading disappeared. I was shocked that while I was on my mat my mind shut off all the noise. This never happens to me! From that moment on, I found my outlet towards positivity.

As I continue my journey, the final piece of this puzzle will be the day I take that feeling I get on my mat, and use it constructively to deal with that person driving slow in the left hand lane, or that person in Wegmans who blocks the entire row with their cart. That’s the real work. It exists off the mat.
I’d like to thank Marina for the opportunity to share my yoga journey. Everyone at MBFY has been so welcoming and helpful! I look forward to seeing you on your mat!
Leave a comment below. What stood out to you in the testimonial? What significant experience have you had in your yoga journey?

What is this Pose About?

This is an arm balancing pose. The resulting shape is a deep opening through the arms and upper back. Watch Eric enter into this asana from Mountain Pose (Tadasana). He will exit the pose and land back in Mountain Pose (Tadasana) as well.
Here are a few things to keep in mind, if you decide to try this pose, or if you have already started to experiment and play around with it.

Tips for Crow pose (Bakasana)

• SSet your hands at shoulder-width distance apart
• Bend your elbows the same way you would in low plank (chaturanga)
• Take a deep bend to your knees and set your knees high on your upper arm bones, if not in your armpits
• Engage your core the whole time
• Squeeze skin to muscle to bone into your center line
• Look forward of your finger tips
• Shift your body’s weight forward
• Lift one foot off the ground to start
• Eventually both feet lift off the ground and you balance
• Once you have both feet off the ground, flex your feet, lift and spread all ten toes and begin lifting your heels up towards your buttocks

Benefits

• Improves the strength of your overall upper body
• Tones your abdominal organs, which assists with indigestion and lower back pains
• The muscles of your forearms, wrists and fingers are given a proper stretch, which is great for carpal tunnel syndrome or the discomfort of long commutes in your car

Caution

• Do not practice Crow Pose if you have a recent or chronic wrist, shoulder, or back injury, or if you have carpal tunnel syndrome. Women who are pregnant should also avoid this pose. Enlist the help of an experienced instructor with Crow Post if this is your first time trying it.

Have you tried this pose before? What has been your experience?