Bakasana

Bakasana (Crane pose) (Sanskrit: बकासन, IAST: bakāsana), and the similar Kakasana (Crow pose) (Sanskrit: काकासन, IAST: kākasana) are balancing asanas in hatha yoga and modern yoga as exercise.

[2] The names for the asanas come from the Sanskrit words बक baka ("crane") or काक kāka ("crow"), and आसन āsana meaning "posture" or "seat".

[3][4] While different yoga lineages use one name or another for the asanas, Dharma Mittra makes a distinction, citing Kakasana as being with arms bent (like the shorter legs of a crow) and Bakasana with arms straight (like the longer legs of a crane).

In Crane Pose, the elbows are straight and the knees are just above the shoulders, requiring flexibility in the hips.

[17][18] Iyengar claimed that this pose "strengthens the arms and abdominal organs since the latter are contracted.

Bakasana , Crane pose, balancing with straight arms
Kakasana, Crow Pose, in the 19th century Sritattvanidhi manuscript in the Mysore palace
Kakasana, Crow Pose, with bent arms