How To Teach Crocodile Pose (Makrasana) Using Yoga Imagery
Sanskrit Of Crocodile Pose
Makrasana
Makara = Crocodile
Asana = Posture
Crocodile Pose Imagery
- Access to ancient knowledge
- Connection to mother earth
- Initiation
- Maternal protection
- Patience
- Primal energies
3 Crocodile-Themed Yoga Lesson Plans
Here are three ideas to theme your next class around “Crocodile Pose”…
Caring Crocodile Yoga Lesson Plan Theme: In the wet season when water is high, crocodiles dig deep burrows that in the dry season are wet alcoves to which they retreat. As well as this, the alcoves act as reservoirs from which other animals drink. Water is the giver of life, and though the crocodile is widely regarded as a mindless beast, the sharing of these reservoirs shows that the crocodile respects all life forms. When practising Crocodile Pose, be mindful of your actions. Find ways to benefit yourself and others just like the crocodile reservoirs.
Mindful Eating Yoga Lesson Plan Theme: Crocodiles eat any animal they can get their chops on, and if unable to swallow it whole, will tear it into bite-size pieces. DELICIOUS! Yet they never eat unnecessarily. When practising Crocodile Pose, be mindful of what you get your chops on. Seek balance. Neither overeating nor undereating. If you eat lots of processed and sugary foods, don’t bother listening to your body to find out if it’s full because these kinds of synthetic foods trick you into thinking you’re not full. That’s why approximately 60 to 70% of us are fat! We simply don’t have the “my tummy is a full signal” of a Crocodile. The only way is to reduce the number of fake foods you eat, and add more real, live foods (veggies and fruit).
Patience Of A Crocodile Yoga Lesson Plan Theme: Crocodiles are one of the most patient animals on the planet. They conceal themselves in mud and water, and wait for many hours in total stillness for unsuspecting prey to come by and quickly snap it up! When in Crocodile Pose soak up the patience of a Crocodile. Enjoy the stillness.
Crocodile Pose Teaching Steps
- Lie on your belly
- Elbows in front of your shoulders
- Open legs wide
- Roll heels in
- Press pubic bone into the floor
- Belly soft
- Tuck the chin into the throat so the back of the neck is long
- Forehead on forearm
- Release on exhale by bringing feet together and turning head to rest cheek on the floor
Crocodile Pose Video
Crocodile Pose Benefits
- Excellent for keeping the spine healthy
- Used as a rest in between postures
Crocodile Pose Precautions
- Ankle injury
- Knee injury
