Arm Balance Series #5...My favorite one ever

I've spent seven years culminating the strength and flexibility to do this arm balance which requires the ability to cross my legs in lotus in headstand and enter this version of side crow (parsvabakasana) which is called pungu kukkutasana. It's Advanced C series (4th series) in Ashtanga yoga and it's one of the most hardcore yoga poses I can do. I'd give it a 9.5/10 difficulty level for me as some days I can't even do it.

SIDE CROW WITH LEGS CROSSED IN LOTUS ( PUNGU KUKKUTASANA)

On a side note, that's my teacher in the picture on the right facing away from the camera. I feel very fortunate to have learned from a 25+ year veteran yoga practitioner and teacher. He's amazing and I've learned so much from this man. I was so inspired the first time I saw him practice. I've seen him do things that I can't even come close to doing still. He's incredibly strong yet also flexible and his balance is also amazing. He's definitely my inspiration and the person who challenges me the most in my yoga practice and also a great friend. Just thought I'd give thanks where it is due...now, how the heck does one prepare to do this pose?

The only way I know of to get into this pose is from headstand. I've posted a progression showing how to go from headstand into side crow. This is how I get into the lotus version of the pose as well. In order to do the poses pictured above, you must be able to do the progression below first.

Another thing you have to learn is to cross your legs into lotus without the assistance of your hands while you're inverted. I learned this my fifth year and it took another 2 years to transition into the side crow lotus version. Finally, I've shown a picture below that shows a pose (Bound revolved side angle) that will determine if you can twist your back far enough to enter this arm balance.

You probably need to be able to bind your wrist as seen in the picture above, not just touch your fingertips which takes a lot of practice for most people.

This arm balance is one of my crowning achievements of my seven plus year journey in practicing yoga and I've spent well over 1,000 hours on my mat getting to this point.

I want to thank you all who have followed this series of yoga arm balances and I want you to know I'll be posting at least five more in this series. I've tried to do one about every other day and will continue to do so.

Namaste