How To Teach Frog Pose Using Imagery
Mandukasana

If you choose frog pose as your Peak Pose for the class, then add a bit of frog imagery during the class.  Have fun with it.  Be sure to explain at the beginning of the class that the peak pose is mandukasana and reel off some interesting tit bits about our wondrous green friends such as…

Sanskrit
Mandukasana

Frog Yoga Imagery

• Cleansing
• Healing
• Rebirth
• Singer of songs that celebrate the most ancient watery beginnings
• Transformation
• Understanding emotions
• Water energy

Frog Themed Yoga Lesson Plan 

Here are some ideas to theme your next class around “Frog Pose”.

Eco System:  Frog populations health reflects the health of the entire eco-system.  When practicing Frog Pose, imagine that your health reflects the health of the entire planet.  Consider that most of the people that have been given the gift of life are fat and depressed.  Think about that.  Most of the people that have been given the gift of life are fat and depressed.  When practicing Frog Pose, you’re improving your inner eco-system.  And when improving your inner eco-system, you silently improve the inner eco-systems of those around you.  So, imperceptibly your “healthy actions” have a ripple effect that could impact thousands of lives.

Emotions:  The deepest healing comes from understanding the power of our emotions. Emotions are linked with water, especially tears.   When practicing Frog Pose, become aware of your emotions.  Are you on edge?   Do you feel balanced physically and mentally?  Are you holding your breath and creating tension?   Allow yourself to jump into your emotions (water).  When we’re afraid to make the jump, it usually results in playing life safe.  That usually results in mediocrity and fear.  With the frog’s assistance, we have permission to take a leap into the unknown and enjoy the mystery.

Healer:  Frogs are amphibians, spending their early life nurtured in water and once they emerge onto dry land as frogs. They are never far from a water source. The frog is recognised as a healer in North and South American Native customs, as well as Celtic traditions.  When practicing Frog Pose, understand that you healing yourself and the planet you live on.

Miracle Of Transformation: The idea of transformation is weaved into the story of the Frog Prince. The story begins with a dying queen that could only be healed by drinking from the well of true water. Her three daughters try desperately to get the water, but each time an ugly frog refused them access unless they agreed to marry him.  The youngest daughter agreed and her mother was healed. To her delight she discovered that her ugly husband transformed into a gorgeous prince. When practicing Frog Pose, you undergo transformation.  Just be silent and let the transformation unfold.

Rain Maker:  Old wives tails say that frogs bring rain when needed.  That’s a pretty neat trick.   When practicing Frog Pose, believe that you are bringing into manifestation that which serves you and others.

Renewal:  Water cleanses and gives Mother Earth renewed freshness.  Practicing Frog Pose can wash away any negative physical and mental energies which deny you a balanced and peaceful life. The notion of renewal is closely linked with water, representing the unblocking and smooth flow of energy for healing.

Interesting Frog Facts

Ancient Hindus believed frogs projected the world into orbit in space

Become a Frog in your mind and swim easily through tough life-transitions

Frogs are a sign of good fortune (hold Frog pose for 30 seconds to attract good fortune)

Frogs represent spiritual and emotional transformation

Frogs have really, really flexible hips

If you hold Frog pose for 30 seconds, your fondest wish may come true soon

If you hold Frog pose for 30 seconds, you may become really fertile (frogs lay 1000’s of eggs)

If you hold Frog pose for 30 seconds, you may attract more abundance in your life

The Frog was deemed lord over all the earth by the Celts

Celts believed Frogs represented healing powers because of its connection with cleansing water

In China the Frog is an emblem of Yin energy and thought of as good luck

In Feng Shui practices Frogs encourage a happy family life

Japanese word for frog is kaeru (meaning “return”), so travelers carry a small frog amulet to return home home safely

Directions 

• Start on hands and knees
• Press hips back further to go deeper into the pose
• Tune into the tightness of hips to discover which side is tighter.
• Walk knees apart until the inner knees are in contact with the mat

Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdCeYgpNA70

Benefits

• Adductors lengthen
• Groin stretch
• Hip opener
• Low back strengthens
• Reduces knee strain

Precautions 

• Knee pain
• Hip pain