Flying Revolved Half Lotus

Flying Revolved Half Lotus

ARM BALANCE

FLYING REVOLVED HALF LOTUS

Some postures don’t arrive through imitation; they arrive through investigation. Flying Revolved Half Lotus is one of those shapes. It borrows familiar ingredients like Side Crow mechanics, hip opening, Janu Sirsasana–style leg positioning, spinal rotation, and the essential arm-balance actions of leaning, resisting, and pushing. It also demands strong scapular protraction and a willingness to stay curious rather than chase something predefined. In the full class, Matt shared that this pose wasn’t something he was necessarily taught, but rather that it emerged through exploration, asking how known shapes could reorganize into something new. In many ways, Flying Revolved Half Lotus can feel more approachable than Flying Full Lotus because it allows the hips to work asymmetrically. Instead of forcing symmetry, we learn to manage rotation, weight distribution, and balance through intelligent setup piece by piece – the Chromatic way of course.

chromatic yoga 15 hour immersion

FLYING HIP OPENERS

ASANA INFUSED WITH STEP BY STEP TECHNIQUES FOR ARM BALANCES

  • 10 Chromatic Yoga practices with founder Matt Giordano
  • Physically Invigorating
  • Foundations, Refinement and Advancement
  • Meticulously Crafted Experiences to Set you up for Maximum Success
  • Included Postures: Crow, Side Crow, Firefly, Dragon Fly, Revolved Flying Half Lotus, Koundenyasana 1 & 2, Hybrid Arm Balances, Straddle Handstand and More
  • 12+ Arm Balances with Modifications and Variations!
  • Hip Opening Techniques, Core Strength, Wrist Strength and Mobility
  • All Levels Appropriate Full length 75 minute Classes
  • Non-dogmatic, Anatomy informed Alignment
  • The Perfect Blend of Knowledge and Practice
  • A Heavy Emphasis on Technique for the Poses Everyone Expects You to Know but Non One Teaches
  • 12 Continuing Education hours with Yoga Alliance and American Yoga Council
  • 12 Accredited Practice Hours with the Chromatic School of Yoga
  • Step-by-Step instruction for increased accessibility
  • Sweat, Breath, Strengthen, Stretch and Feel Amazing!

PIGEON IS IMPORTANT

We begin in a lifted pigeon preparation, with the right shin across the mat and the legs staying active rather than sinking into flexibility. Matt cues us to pull the pelvis back by reaching strongly through the back heel, creating length and tone at the same time. From here, the twist becomes the priority. We flex the spine and rotate, placing the left elbow down while the right hand actively pushes the torso away from the front thigh. This push-and-reach dynamic creates space for rotation rather than collapsing into it. The left arm reaches to deepen the twist while the right hand provides resistance, keeping the body buoyant and supported. Although the stretch is deep, the strength in the legs keeps us organized. This phase establishes the rotational blueprint we’ll later need when gravity becomes part of the equation.

WATCH THE VIDEO

FLYING REVOLVED HALF LOTUS: UNRAVEL ALL OF ITS PARTS

SIDE CROW IS VITAL

Before taking flight, we return to something familiar: Side Crow. Matt instructs us that any variation works, as long as the pelvis isn’t resting passively on the opposite elbow. Matt emphasizes lining the knee up outside the elbow so the load transfers cleanly through the arms. Whether squeezing a block between the shins, pulling a strap apart, or keeping one foot grounded, the goal is the same, which is to lean forward, grip the ground, and hold. This isn’t about how long we balance, but about imprinting the arm-balance mechanics that Flying Revolved Half Lotus depends on. Protraction, finger grip, and forward lean all get rehearsed here. Side Crow becomes the structural anchor of the pose, reminding us how rotation and balance coexist without one overpowering the other.

200 Hour Online Teacher Training Certification

200 HOUR ONLINE TEACHER TRAINING

GET CERTIFIED & DEEPEN YOUR YOGA PRACTICE

  • Deepen your yoga practice
  • Build confidence speaking in front of groups in person and online
  • Learn foundational class structures and templates
  • Learn techniques for a wide range of yoga postures
  • Get certified and highly qualified to teach yoga
  • Yoga Alliance Globally Recognized Certification Program

THE INITIAL SHAPE

Next, Matt brings us back to the floor to “imprint the experience.” With the left foot grounded and the right leg extended or bent, we sit up and lower down repeatedly, flexing and rotating the spine. This sit-up pattern mimics the core engagement and twisting effort of the final pose without the pressure of balancing. Holding the shape briefly lets the nervous system recognize it as familiar. From here, we might explore a standing variation that draws the knee tightly across the body, echoing the half-lotus pathway. Hands hover as if preparing for Side Crow, knees stay compact, and we subtly wiggle to find alignment. This phase isn’t flashy, but it’s essential. It’s where the body learns the shape before being asked to support it.

300 hour teacher training online

300 HOUR ONLINE TEACHER TRAINING

GET 500 HOUR CERTIFIED AS A MASTER TEACHER

Master your skill set as a teacher through refined techniques, anatomy, biomechanics, sequencing, philosophy, meditation techniques, theming, yoga business, and much more!

  • Get 500 hour certified
  • Learn anatomy, biomechanics, asana techniques
  • Expand your teaching skills
  • Masterful sequencing and verbal delivery
  • Learn meditation and breathwork techniques
  • Transformative tools: theming, dharma talks, satsang

READY TO GO

When all the pieces come together, the transition feels deliberate rather than rushed. We move the knees slightly to create space for the elbow, place the hands wide, and lean forward and slightly sideways. One knee presses down as the other draws inward, creating opposition that stabilizes the lift. Matt demonstrates options here, reminding us that Flying Revolved Half Lotus isn’t about forcing elevation, it’s about honoring the setup. Whether we lift fully or hover with control, the work has already been done. The hips understand their role, the arms know how to support, and the spine rotates with clarity. At this point, the pose isn’t mysterious, it’s simply a conversation between familiar actions, organized with intention.

Matt finished off 2025 with strength in his Flying Hip Openers Immersion.  Did you miss it?  You can still register for all of the lifetime replays here.

The 200 Hr. Teacher Training: Click Here to See the Next Start Date

The 300 Hr. Advanced Teacher Training: Click Here to See the Next Start Date

Article by Trish Curling

Video Extracted From: Flying Hip Openers Immersion

lotus pose online yoga classes

ONLINE ANATOMY COURSE

  • Accessible, exciting, and easy to learn
  • Anatomy and biomechanics for yoga
  • Appropriate for both teachers and students
  • Learn joint alignment vs pose alignment
  • Demystify yoga poses and transitions
  • Release aches and pains
  • Learn how to avoid common injuries
  • Caters to all levels with modifications and props
  • 20 hours Continued Education Credits with Yoga Alliance
  • 20 hours toward Chromatic Yoga Certification and 300 Hour
  • Lifetime access

Continue Learning

Flying Revolved Half Lotus

Flying Revolved Half Lotus

Flying Revolved Half LotusARM BALANCEFLYING REVOLVED HALF LOTUS Some postures don’t arrive through imitation; they arrive through investigation. Flying Revolved Half Lotus is one of those shapes. It borrows familiar ingredients like Side Crow mechanics, hip opening,...

read more
Eka Pada Bakasana

Eka Pada Bakasana

Eka Pada BakasanaSINGLE LEG CROWEKA PADA BAKASANA Eka Pada Bakasana asks us to balance curiosity with patience. This one-legged crow variation isn’t just about lifting a leg, it’s about organizing pressure, timing, and trust in unfamiliar territory. The posture...

read more
Eight Angle Pose

Eight Angle Pose

Eight Angle PoseASTAVAKRASANAEIGHT ANGLE POSE Sometimes we think arm balances are about getting higher, but Matt reframes Eight Angle pose as a mechanics workshop. This posture thrives when we test rotation, pelvic placement, and upper-body stability as interconnected...

read more
Approachable Arm Balances

Approachable Arm Balances

Approachable Arm BalancesPARSVA BAKASANAAPPROACHABLE ARM BALANCES Approachable arm balances aren’t about fearlessness; they’re about informed action. When we understand the mechanics behind the posture, we gain the power to shape our own outcomes. Rather than jumping...

read more
Perfect Protraction For Crow Pose

Perfect Protraction For Crow Pose

Perfect Protraction For Crow PoseBAKASANAPERFECT PROTRACTION FOR CROW POSE When working toward perfect protraction for Crow Pose, it’s essential to understand the role of the serratus anterior, the “fingertip” muscles that wrap around the rib cage and attach to the...

read more
Help For Hamstrings

Help For Hamstrings

Help For HamstringsFLEXIBILITYHELP FOR HAMSTRINGS “Yoga butt” or high hamstring tendonitis can be a literal pain where the sit bones meet the hamstrings and glutes. This area is prone to overuse injuries, especially when repetitive forward folds overstretch rather...

read more

THE FREE TECHNIQUE PACK

When You Subscribe, You Will Get Instant Access to

  • the Technique Pack: 15 yoga pose breakdowns
  • exclusive online course discounts
  • exclusive blogs and videos
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Eka Pada Bakasana

Eka Pada Bakasana

SINGLE LEG CROW

EKA PADA BAKASANA

Eka Pada Bakasana asks us to balance curiosity with patience. This one-legged crow variation isn’t just about lifting a leg, it’s about organizing pressure, timing, and trust in unfamiliar territory. The posture quickly reveals where we rush, where we brace unnecessarily, and where we disconnect effort from intention. Instead of chasing flight, this pose invites us to study how weight transfers forward, how the back body contributes, and how the hands communicate with the floor. When Eka Pada Bakasana feels elusive, it’s rarely due to lack of strength. More often, it’s because the body hasn’t yet learned how to coordinate grip, leverage, and momentum as one conversation. This posture becomes a laboratory for intelligent risk-taking where preparation, not courage alone, determines whether lift-off feels chaotic or controlled.

chromatic yoga 15 hour immersion

FLYING HIP OPENERS

ASANA INFUSED WITH STEP BY STEP TECHNIQUES FOR ARM BALANCES

  • 10 Chromatic Yoga practices with founder Matt Giordano
  • Physically Invigorating
  • Foundations, Refinement and Advancement
  • Meticulously Crafted Experiences to Set you up for Maximum Success
  • Included Postures: Crow, Side Crow, Firefly, Dragon Fly, Revolved Flying Half Lotus, Koundenyasana 1 & 2, Hybrid Arm Balances, Straddle Handstand and More
  • 12+ Arm Balances with Modifications and Variations!
  • Hip Opening Techniques, Core Strength, Wrist Strength and Mobility
  • All Levels Appropriate Full length 75 minute Classes
  • Non-dogmatic, Anatomy informed Alignment
  • The Perfect Blend of Knowledge and Practice
  • A Heavy Emphasis on Technique for the Poses Everyone Expects You to Know but Non One Teaches
  • 12 Continuing Education hours with Yoga Alliance and American Yoga Council
  • 12 Accredited Practice Hours with the Chromatic School of Yoga
  • Step-by-Step instruction for increased accessibility
  • Sweat, Breath, Strengthen, Stretch and Feel Amazing!

DO THIS FIRST

If you’ve practiced with Matt, you’ll know that before lifting anything in an arm balance, he directs our attention to the hands. Fingers actively grip the ground, then sustain that grip as weight shifts forward. This isn’t passive contact, it’s deliberate contraction. The primary muscles at work are the flexor digitorum profundus and flexor digitorum superficialis, muscles that flex the fingers and cross the wrist joint. When we press the fingertips down and slightly back, these muscles stabilize the wrist and help distribute load through the palms rather than dumping it into the heel of the hand. Matt emphasizes that this activation must be maintained, not flickered on and off. In Eka Pada Bakasana, consistent finger engagement becomes our steering wheel. Without it, forward movement feels abrupt and unstable. With it, the body learns how to lean without panic and push without collapse.

WATCH THE VIDEO

EKA PADA BAKASANA: ELEVATED VARIATIONS FOR ULTIMATE HEIGHT

SIMULATE THE EXPERIENCE

Rather than forcing the full pose, Matt offers ways to simulate the physical experience of Eka Pada Bakasana. One option begins in a pigeon-like setup where the hips lift, hands walk forward, and forearms lower to the ground. From here, lifting the back leg introduces the sensation of hamstrings and glutes activating under forward weight shift. The front knee doesn’t need deep flexion due to the fact that it isn’t a flying pigeon.  This “simulation” can also make it accessible for many bodies. The lifted leg remains in a turned-out position, offering hip opening without demanding extreme range. As body weight shifts forward and pressure moves into the shin, the back leg begins to feel lighter. These simulations allow the nervous system to experience the pose’s demands without the risk of immediate balance, building confidence and clarity before full execution.

200 Hour Online Teacher Training Certification

200 HOUR ONLINE TEACHER TRAINING

GET CERTIFIED & DEEPEN YOUR YOGA PRACTICE

  • Deepen your yoga practice
  • Build confidence speaking in front of groups in person and online
  • Learn foundational class structures and templates
  • Learn techniques for a wide range of yoga postures
  • Get certified and highly qualified to teach yoga
  • Yoga Alliance Globally Recognized Certification Program

ONE-LEGGED CROW IN BOAT POSE

To further demystify Eka Pada Bakasana, Matt introduces a seated variation using Boat Pose. One shin clamps outside the arm, supported by the opposite hand, while the torso leans back slightly with the tailbone tucked. From here, the free leg extends forward, mimicking the asymmetry of the arm balance without the complexity of being inverted. This variation teaches the body how the leg connects to the arm shelf and how core engagement supports lift. The shape becomes familiar before it becomes airborne. By rehearsing Eka Pada Bakasana in Boat Pose, we remove fear from the equation and replace it with understanding. The body begins to recognize the posture not as a leap, but as a continuation of actions it already knows.

300 hour teacher training online

300 HOUR ONLINE TEACHER TRAINING

GET 500 HOUR CERTIFIED AS A MASTER TEACHER

Master your skill set as a teacher through refined techniques, anatomy, biomechanics, sequencing, philosophy, meditation techniques, theming, yoga business, and much more!

  • Get 500 hour certified
  • Learn anatomy, biomechanics, asana techniques
  • Expand your teaching skills
  • Masterful sequencing and verbal delivery
  • Learn meditation and breathwork techniques
  • Transformative tools: theming, dharma talks, satsang

TAKE THE LEAP FORWARD

When it’s time to approach the full expression, Matt encourages us to use support strategically. One foot rests on a block while the opposite knee positions outside the shoulder, allowing us to lean forward without fully committing to balance. Cushions beneath the head create a safe zone, turning fear into curiosity. From here, the back foot becomes an articulator, gently extending through the ankle to guide momentum forward. This subtle action helps the lifted leg feel lighter without forcing it. Eka Pada Bakasana emerges not from a jump, but from a controlled glide. Even if the leg doesn’t lift fully, the body learns something valuable: how forward intention, finger grip, and back-body activation work together. The leap forward isn’t sudden , it’s earned, informed, and repeatable.

There’s still time to explore this process in Matt’s current online Immersion Flying Hip Openers.

The 200 Hr. Teacher Training: Click Here to See the Next Start Date

The 300 Hr. Advanced Teacher Training: Click Here to See the Next Start Date

Article by Trish Curling

Video Extracted From: Flow & Fly Immersion

lotus pose online yoga classes

ONLINE ANATOMY COURSE

  • Accessible, exciting, and easy to learn
  • Anatomy and biomechanics for yoga
  • Appropriate for both teachers and students
  • Learn joint alignment vs pose alignment
  • Demystify yoga poses and transitions
  • Release aches and pains
  • Learn how to avoid common injuries
  • Caters to all levels with modifications and props
  • 20 hours Continued Education Credits with Yoga Alliance
  • 20 hours toward Chromatic Yoga Certification and 300 Hour
  • Lifetime access

Continue Learning

Flying Revolved Half Lotus

Flying Revolved Half Lotus

Flying Revolved Half LotusARM BALANCEFLYING REVOLVED HALF LOTUS Some postures don’t arrive through imitation; they arrive through investigation. Flying Revolved Half Lotus is one of those shapes. It borrows familiar ingredients like Side Crow mechanics, hip opening,...

read more
Eka Pada Bakasana

Eka Pada Bakasana

Eka Pada BakasanaSINGLE LEG CROWEKA PADA BAKASANA Eka Pada Bakasana asks us to balance curiosity with patience. This one-legged crow variation isn’t just about lifting a leg, it’s about organizing pressure, timing, and trust in unfamiliar territory. The posture...

read more
Eight Angle Pose

Eight Angle Pose

Eight Angle PoseASTAVAKRASANAEIGHT ANGLE POSE Sometimes we think arm balances are about getting higher, but Matt reframes Eight Angle pose as a mechanics workshop. This posture thrives when we test rotation, pelvic placement, and upper-body stability as interconnected...

read more
Approachable Arm Balances

Approachable Arm Balances

Approachable Arm BalancesPARSVA BAKASANAAPPROACHABLE ARM BALANCES Approachable arm balances aren’t about fearlessness; they’re about informed action. When we understand the mechanics behind the posture, we gain the power to shape our own outcomes. Rather than jumping...

read more
Perfect Protraction For Crow Pose

Perfect Protraction For Crow Pose

Perfect Protraction For Crow PoseBAKASANAPERFECT PROTRACTION FOR CROW POSE When working toward perfect protraction for Crow Pose, it’s essential to understand the role of the serratus anterior, the “fingertip” muscles that wrap around the rib cage and attach to the...

read more
Help For Hamstrings

Help For Hamstrings

Help For HamstringsFLEXIBILITYHELP FOR HAMSTRINGS “Yoga butt” or high hamstring tendonitis can be a literal pain where the sit bones meet the hamstrings and glutes. This area is prone to overuse injuries, especially when repetitive forward folds overstretch rather...

read more

THE FREE TECHNIQUE PACK

When You Subscribe, You Will Get Instant Access to

  • the Technique Pack: 15 yoga pose breakdowns
  • exclusive online course discounts
  • exclusive blogs and videos
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Eight Angle Pose

Eight Angle Pose

ASTAVAKRASANA

EIGHT ANGLE POSE

Sometimes we think arm balances are about getting higher, but Matt reframes Eight Angle pose as a mechanics workshop. This posture thrives when we test rotation, pelvic placement, and upper-body stability as interconnected actions. It gives us feedback about how we place weight, where our imbalances live, and what support lines might be leaking energy.

Often the pose falls apart because we close our foundation too soon. Narrow hands can make our wrists feel jammed and our elbows hug in prematurely. Wider hands give us space, clearer load lines, and a more stable base to pivot from.

When we allow the chest to go forward, dial the hips back, and treat the arm as a shelf instead of something to hug into immediately, the pose stops asking us to solve coordination mid-lift. We study the structure here so future transitions feel less complicated.

chromatic yoga 15 hour immersion

FLYING HIP OPENERS

ASANA INFUSED WITH STEP BY STEP TECHNIQUES FOR ARM BALANCES

  • 10 Chromatic Yoga practices with founder Matt Giordano
  • Physically Invigorating
  • Foundations, Refinement and Advancement
  • Meticulously Crafted Experiences to Set you up for Maximum Success
  • Included Postures: Crow, Side Crow, Firefly, Dragon Fly, Revolved Flying Half Lotus, Koundenyasana 1 & 2, Hybrid Arm Balances, Straddle Handstand and More
  • 12+ Arm Balances with Modifications and Variations!
  • Hip Opening Techniques, Core Strength, Wrist Strength and Mobility
  • All Levels Appropriate Full length 75 minute Classes
  • Non-dogmatic, Anatomy informed Alignment
  • The Perfect Blend of Knowledge and Practice
  • A Heavy Emphasis on Technique for the Poses Everyone Expects You to Know but Non One Teaches
  • 12 Continuing Education hours with Yoga Alliance and American Yoga Council
  • 12 Accredited Practice Hours with the Chromatic School of Yoga
  • Step-by-Step instruction for increased accessibility
  • Sweat, Breath, Strengthen, Stretch and Feel Amazing!

USE A BLOCK FOR THIS IMPORTANT ACTION

For Eight Angle pose preparation, Matt places a block between the upper thighs and moves us into Navasana rehearsal with feet wider apart than instinct suggests. This width gives the body room and the brain something to organize around.

We contrast by briefly exploring external rotation so we can feel sensation versus true activation. Then we switch back into internal rotation by squeezing gently. The squeeze isn’t about tension, it’s about recruitment recall.

When the legs eventually elevate, the brain remembers where to recruit from instead of guessing. The block becomes our lower body compass, shortening the unnecessary distance between thighs and chest while conditioning the adductors and outer glute connections needed for future steps.

WATCH THE VIDEO

EIGHT ANGLE POSE: ACTIONS FOR THE HIPS & BALANCE

MECHANICS FOR THE HIPS

Matt walks us through harder two leg hip feedback drills seated, hinging far enough to anchor through the hands and attempt lifting the hips before sliding the seat back. It’s harder, but the value is in the feedback; our hamstrings and hip flexors tell the truth here without foot balancing pressure.

Next comes the Elephant Trunk drill. One knee repeatedly pulls back to prime the hip before resting on the outside elbow shelf; elbow wide, hand wide, hips remembered, friction reduced.

Finally, ankles cross and suddenly the arm and foot both act as informed shelves for the opposite leg. These layered drills teach us that mobility and timing matter more than just squeezing inward and hoping it works.

200 Hour Online Teacher Training Certification

200 HOUR ONLINE TEACHER TRAINING

GET CERTIFIED & DEEPEN YOUR YOGA PRACTICE

  • Deepen your yoga practice
  • Build confidence speaking in front of groups in person and online
  • Learn foundational class structures and templates
  • Learn techniques for a wide range of yoga postures
  • Get certified and highly qualified to teach yoga
  • Yoga Alliance Globally Recognized Certification Program

INTERNAL ROTATION MASTERY

It’s pretty natural for us to bring our feet and elbows too close together at first. Matt reminds us to build the shelf first, using the upper arm or shin as a stable support point. From there we can explore internal rotation from a place of awareness, not force.

Sometimes if we turn inward too soon, our knees or lower back can feel uncomfortable because the body is still “guessing” instead of recalling what it should do. A helpful trick is to gently switch between external and internal rotation in practice, so the hips learn to adapt and make space in a smarter way.

We also keep the head stacked back (long neck!), and let the gaze drop down only if that helps the body connect better. When we repeat these steps, internal rotation becomes something the body understands, not something we try to improvise mid-pose.

300 hour teacher training online

300 HOUR ONLINE TEACHER TRAINING

GET 500 HOUR CERTIFIED AS A MASTER TEACHER

Master your skill set as a teacher through refined techniques, anatomy, biomechanics, sequencing, philosophy, meditation techniques, theming, yoga business, and much more!

  • Get 500 hour certified
  • Learn anatomy, biomechanics, asana techniques
  • Expand your teaching skills
  • Masterful sequencing and verbal delivery
  • Learn meditation and breathwork techniques
  • Transformative tools: theming, dharma talks, satsang

BALANCE & POWER

Now we build the partnership. Hands wide, hips tucked, chest melted forward, inner thighs rehearsed into rotation, we straighten the legs and preserve the learning we just earned. Matt cues us not to bend the elbows or clamp the feet inward too soon, because collapsing dissolves the partnership the pose depends on.

We pivot around the arm-bone shelf only after stability is established. Our psychological markers become grounded: glutes contracting underneath, hand edges pressing outward, thighs spiralling inward without abandoning the mechanics we studied during the preparation.

Even if the posture doesn’t elevate today, the body still evolves because we showed up for the system, not just the shape. Eight angle pose becomes reachable when informed action travels with us into the twist, not left behind at lift off.

Reveal the secrets into arm balance preparation by registering for Matt’s upcoming online immersion Flying Hip Openers.

The 200 Hr. Teacher Training: Click Here to See the Next Start Date

The 300 Hr. Advanced Teacher Training: Click Here to See the Next Start Date

Article by Trish Curling

Video Extracted From: Flow & Fly Immersion

lotus pose online yoga classes

ONLINE ANATOMY COURSE

  • Accessible, exciting, and easy to learn
  • Anatomy and biomechanics for yoga
  • Appropriate for both teachers and students
  • Learn joint alignment vs pose alignment
  • Demystify yoga poses and transitions
  • Release aches and pains
  • Learn how to avoid common injuries
  • Caters to all levels with modifications and props
  • 20 hours Continued Education Credits with Yoga Alliance
  • 20 hours toward Chromatic Yoga Certification and 300 Hour
  • Lifetime access

Continue Learning

Flying Revolved Half Lotus

Flying Revolved Half Lotus

Flying Revolved Half LotusARM BALANCEFLYING REVOLVED HALF LOTUS Some postures don’t arrive through imitation; they arrive through investigation. Flying Revolved Half Lotus is one of those shapes. It borrows familiar ingredients like Side Crow mechanics, hip opening,...

read more
Eka Pada Bakasana

Eka Pada Bakasana

Eka Pada BakasanaSINGLE LEG CROWEKA PADA BAKASANA Eka Pada Bakasana asks us to balance curiosity with patience. This one-legged crow variation isn’t just about lifting a leg, it’s about organizing pressure, timing, and trust in unfamiliar territory. The posture...

read more
Eight Angle Pose

Eight Angle Pose

Eight Angle PoseASTAVAKRASANAEIGHT ANGLE POSE Sometimes we think arm balances are about getting higher, but Matt reframes Eight Angle pose as a mechanics workshop. This posture thrives when we test rotation, pelvic placement, and upper-body stability as interconnected...

read more
Approachable Arm Balances

Approachable Arm Balances

Approachable Arm BalancesPARSVA BAKASANAAPPROACHABLE ARM BALANCES Approachable arm balances aren’t about fearlessness; they’re about informed action. When we understand the mechanics behind the posture, we gain the power to shape our own outcomes. Rather than jumping...

read more
Perfect Protraction For Crow Pose

Perfect Protraction For Crow Pose

Perfect Protraction For Crow PoseBAKASANAPERFECT PROTRACTION FOR CROW POSE When working toward perfect protraction for Crow Pose, it’s essential to understand the role of the serratus anterior, the “fingertip” muscles that wrap around the rib cage and attach to the...

read more
Help For Hamstrings

Help For Hamstrings

Help For HamstringsFLEXIBILITYHELP FOR HAMSTRINGS “Yoga butt” or high hamstring tendonitis can be a literal pain where the sit bones meet the hamstrings and glutes. This area is prone to overuse injuries, especially when repetitive forward folds overstretch rather...

read more

THE FREE TECHNIQUE PACK

When You Subscribe, You Will Get Instant Access to

  • the Technique Pack: 15 yoga pose breakdowns
  • exclusive online course discounts
  • exclusive blogs and videos
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Perfect Protraction For Crow Pose

Perfect Protraction For Crow Pose

BAKASANA

PERFECT PROTRACTION FOR CROW POSE

When working toward perfect protraction for Crow Pose, it’s essential to understand the role of the serratus anterior, the “fingertip” muscles that wrap around the rib cage and attach to the inner edge of the shoulder blades. Matt describes them as the driving force behind any forward-pushing movement, from boxing to arm balances. These muscles are responsible for that “lifted” feeling when we press the floor away beneath us. Without this activation, the chest collapses, and the arms bear the brunt of the work. Learning to engage the serratus anterior transforms Crow Pose from a heavy arm balance into an integrated, buoyant experience where strength and lift coexist.

chromatic yoga 15 hour immersion

BRING THE HEAT

ENHANCE YOUR POSTURAL PRACTICE

  • 10 Chromatic Yoga practices with founder Matt Giordano
  • Physically Invigorating
  • Each Class is designed to cultivate inner heat from a blend of calculated long holds and vinyasa style flows
  • Meticulously Crafted Experiences to Enhance Your Postural Practice
  • Modern, Non-dogmatic Philosophy to Inspire and Motivate You into Action that Serves You.
  • 4 Dedicated Core Classes!
  • All Levels Appropriate Full length 75 minute Classes
  • Non-dogmatic, Anatomy informed Alignment
  • The Perfect Blend of Knowledge and Practice
  • A Heavy Emphasis on Technique for the Poses Everyone Expects You to Know but Non One Teaches
  • 12 Continuing Education hours with Yoga Alliance and American Yoga Council
  • 12 Accredited Practice Hours with the Chromatic School of Yoga
  • Step-by-Step instruction for increased accessibility
  • Sweat, Breath, Strengthen, Stretch and Feel Amazing!

GET THE MECHANICS DOWN

Matt begins with a simple yet revealing wall drill. With the forearms placed at shoulder height, hands at forehead height, we practice retraction and protraction.  This involves drawing the shoulder blades together, then pushing them apart. At this stage, the focus is precision, not power. The goal is to feel how the shoulder blades glide and wrap around the rib cage. This movement builds heat and sets the foundation for proper shoulder mechanics before any weight is added. By refining this awareness early on, we prepare our joints for stability and longevity in arm balances. Protraction becomes not just a motion, but a habit of intelligent movement that protects the shoulders from strain.

WATCH THE VIDEO

PERFECT PROTRACTION FOR CROW POSE: 2 SHOULDER ACTIONS FOR INCREASED ELEVATION

CHATURANGA & CROW PRACTICE

Translating this awareness into action, Matt layers in Chaturanga and Crow drills. In Chaturanga, we spread the fingers wide, slightly turn the hands out, and push down and in to fire up the serratus and pectoralis. This prevents the shoulders from collapsing forward and maintains lift through the upper back.
To reinforce this pattern, he takes us to the floor for Chaturanga on the back, using blocks or weights. Here, gravity works in reverse, and we feel how the scapulae widen as we “press up.” The transition from Chaturanga to Crow on the back trains the same coordination, knees hug in, tailbone tucks, and the upper body maintains protraction. These drills establish neuromuscular connection before Crow Pose ever touches the ground.

200 Hour Online Teacher Training Certification

200 HOUR ONLINE TEACHER TRAINING

GET CERTIFIED & DEEPEN YOUR YOGA PRACTICE

  • Deepen your yoga practice
  • Build confidence speaking in front of groups in person and online
  • Learn foundational class structures and templates
  • Learn techniques for a wide range of yoga postures
  • Get certified and highly qualified to teach yoga
  • Yoga Alliance Globally Recognized Certification Program

CROW POSE ON BLOCKS

Now, the mechanics meet the mat. Placing the feet on blocks removes the fear of balance so we can focus purely on shoulder control. Knees squeeze in, elbows hug inward, and hips lift high. Matt emphasizes that Crow Pose shouldn’t be just a head bob from the elbows; it’s a full body integration that begins with elevation of the hips and scapular movement.
We move through retraction and protraction at the top of the shape, feeling the difference between sinking and lifting. As we lean forward, the protraction deepens, allowing the shoulders to stay stable and light. A soft cushion in front provides peace of mind, but the real support comes from the strength of the serratus anterior; it’s the engine behind the lift.

300 hour teacher training online

300 HOUR ONLINE TEACHER TRAINING

GET 500 HOUR CERTIFIED AS A MASTER TEACHER

Master your skill set as a teacher through refined techniques, anatomy, biomechanics, sequencing, philosophy, meditation techniques, theming, yoga business, and much more!

  • Get 500 hour certified
  • Learn anatomy, biomechanics, asana techniques
  • Expand your teaching skills
  • Masterful sequencing and verbal delivery
  • Learn meditation and breathwork techniques
  • Transformative tools: theming, dharma talks, satsang

PRACTICE OVER PERFECTION

Crow Pose mastery comes not from muscling through but from cultivating awareness in the shoulder stabilizers, core, and breath. Each layer, the wall drill, the Chaturanga sequence, and the block practice creates a more refined relationship between effort and control. Protraction is not a static position but an active expression of power that evolves with consistent attention.
In this “perfect protraction for Crow Pose” approach, success lies in understanding mechanics, not chasing shape. With repetition and focus, the shoulders learn to support the lift, transforming Crow Pose from something heavy to something that truly flies.

To break unhelpful patterns in the body, we need to train with intention. Matt’s upcoming online Bring the Heat immersion does just that; each practice blends mindful repetition with fire-building techniques that rewire strength, mobility, and endurance from the inside out.

The 200 Hr. Teacher Training: Click Here to See the Next Start Date

The 300 Hr. Advanced Teacher Training: Click Here to See the Next Start Date

Article by Trish Curling

Video Extracted From: Shoulder Mobility Immersion

lotus pose online yoga classes

ONLINE ANATOMY COURSE

  • Accessible, exciting, and easy to learn
  • Anatomy and biomechanics for yoga
  • Appropriate for both teachers and students
  • Learn joint alignment vs pose alignment
  • Demystify yoga poses and transitions
  • Release aches and pains
  • Learn how to avoid common injuries
  • Caters to all levels with modifications and props
  • 20 hours Continued Education Credits with Yoga Alliance
  • 20 hours toward Chromatic Yoga Certification and 300 Hour
  • Lifetime access

Continue Learning

Flying Revolved Half Lotus

Flying Revolved Half Lotus

Flying Revolved Half LotusARM BALANCEFLYING REVOLVED HALF LOTUS Some postures don’t arrive through imitation; they arrive through investigation. Flying Revolved Half Lotus is one of those shapes. It borrows familiar ingredients like Side Crow mechanics, hip opening,...

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Eka Pada Bakasana

Eka Pada Bakasana

Eka Pada BakasanaSINGLE LEG CROWEKA PADA BAKASANA Eka Pada Bakasana asks us to balance curiosity with patience. This one-legged crow variation isn’t just about lifting a leg, it’s about organizing pressure, timing, and trust in unfamiliar territory. The posture...

read more
Eight Angle Pose

Eight Angle Pose

Eight Angle PoseASTAVAKRASANAEIGHT ANGLE POSE Sometimes we think arm balances are about getting higher, but Matt reframes Eight Angle pose as a mechanics workshop. This posture thrives when we test rotation, pelvic placement, and upper-body stability as interconnected...

read more
Approachable Arm Balances

Approachable Arm Balances

Approachable Arm BalancesPARSVA BAKASANAAPPROACHABLE ARM BALANCES Approachable arm balances aren’t about fearlessness; they’re about informed action. When we understand the mechanics behind the posture, we gain the power to shape our own outcomes. Rather than jumping...

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Perfect Protraction For Crow Pose

Perfect Protraction For Crow Pose

Perfect Protraction For Crow PoseBAKASANAPERFECT PROTRACTION FOR CROW POSE When working toward perfect protraction for Crow Pose, it’s essential to understand the role of the serratus anterior, the “fingertip” muscles that wrap around the rib cage and attach to the...

read more
Help For Hamstrings

Help For Hamstrings

Help For HamstringsFLEXIBILITYHELP FOR HAMSTRINGS “Yoga butt” or high hamstring tendonitis can be a literal pain where the sit bones meet the hamstrings and glutes. This area is prone to overuse injuries, especially when repetitive forward folds overstretch rather...

read more

THE FREE TECHNIQUE PACK

When You Subscribe, You Will Get Instant Access to

  • the Technique Pack: 15 yoga pose breakdowns
  • exclusive online course discounts
  • exclusive blogs and videos
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Side Crow Strategy

Side Crow Strategy

PARSVA BAKASANA

SIDE CROW STRATEGY

When we step onto the yoga mat with a strategy, we open ourselves up to a practice that’s both intelligent and transformational. Side Crow is one of those postures that calls for a clear plan, one that breaks down the mechanics and balances effort with trust. Rather than relying on sheer strength or guesswork, Matt’S Chromatic Yoga method offers a layered approach rooted in precision. It’s not just sequencing, it’s a system that honours tapas (effort) and Ishvara Pranidhana (surrender). With Side Crow, much of that effort is directed toward activating and stabilizing the adductors.  This may not often be examined in a “typical” yoga class, but drawing our awareness here helps to keep us connected to the midline. This intentional use of muscular engagement provides both structure and support. A Side Crow strategy gives us permission to slow down and build awareness of our spine, our core, our balance, and how we distribute energy.  From that foundation, we can begin to fly.

chromatic yoga 15 hour immersion

CHROMATIC LEVEL 1 TRAINING

CHROMATIC LEVEL 1 REGISTRATION

  • 30 hours in person with Matt
  • Short Online pre-training to maximize in person time together
  • Become a Certified Chromatic Yoga Teacher
  • Revolutionize your teaching skills
  • Gain the strength of the global collective
  • All Yoga Teachers get continued ed hours with Yoga Alliance
  • Certified Chromatic Teacher’s attending this event will get continued Ed hours toward their next level within Chromatic Yoga
  • Chromatic Yoga does not adhere to dogmatic alignment principals, instead you will learn to make deliberate alignment based on intention.
  • Residential training – you will book your stay at the Hotel and Spa, close to multiple international Airports
  • Location: Our Farm in Connecticut

ONE-LEGGED CHAIR POSE

In today’s video, Matt instructs us to place a block between the upper thighs and squeeze to activate the adductors. From there, we twist to the left, placing the right tricep on the left thigh. Leaning into the left foot makes the right heel light, and we start to build a one-legged variation of Revolved Chair pose, drawing the right heel to the glutes. This “flamingo-style” chair pose (as Matt refers to it) is less about aesthetics and more about teaching the body to rotate and stabilize at once. With the block engaged and the twist deepening, we simultaneously challenge balance and coordination. It’s a strong preparation for understanding how internal pressure and spiral activation become essential later on in Side Crow. Once the shape is complete, we bring the right foot back down and head to the ground for the next layer of training.

WATCH THE VIDEO

SIDE CROW STRATEGY: SYSTEMATIC SEQUENCING FOR SUCCESS

FLIP IT UPSIDE DOWN

From our backs, the same strategic tone continues, this time placing a block between the shins, (adductors still firing). Matt cues a subtle posterior tilt of the pelvis, then shifts the knees to the left while the arms move to the right. We engage in a sit-up that resists the temptation for the knees to drift. This upright engagement through twist keeps the focus on the obliques and reinforces spinal control. With arms stretched wide, Matt invites us to continue exploring the twist, only letting the pelvis rotate as far as we can control—never beyond that. There’s no forcing. There’s no rush. He then demonstrates a “side-to-side roll”, with the block still in place, which helps us refine symmetry and continue conditioning the midsection. This phase may seem simple, but it’s crucial. We are wiring the body for rotation, stability, and centerline strength, all components we’ll call on in the Side Crow.

200 Hour Online Teacher Training Certification

200 HOUR ONLINE TEACHER TRAINING

GET CERTIFIED & DEEPEN YOUR YOGA PRACTICE

  • Deepen your yoga practice
  • Build confidence speaking in front of groups in person and online
  • Learn foundational class structures and templates
  • Learn techniques for a wide range of yoga postures
  • Get certified and highly qualified to teach yoga
  • Yoga Alliance Globally Recognized Certification Program

SIDE CROW SET UP

The moment we’ve prepared for begins to take form. Matt sets us up for Side Crow with the option to place the block between the shins (more challenging) or thighs (more accessible). Facing the side of the mat, we take our hands wide, so wide that initially, we can’t even touch the floor. This forces us to lift the hips, find height, and make space before planting the second hand. Squeezing the block, we shift into a zone of possibility. Hips high, bum lifted, knees squeezing inward.  We have the option to stay here and hover, or eventually fly. If we choose to “fly”, the lean comes next, moving our weight toward the fingertips while keeping the tailbone lifted and knees spiraling inward. Matt reminds us to “wag the tail,” a cue that activates the obliques and centers the pelvis. At every step, we are reminded to grip, lean, spiral, and squeeze.  This is our Side Crow strategy in action.

300 hour teacher training online

300 HOUR ONLINE TEACHER TRAINING

GET 500 HOUR CERTIFIED AS A MASTER TEACHER

Master your skill set as a teacher through refined techniques, anatomy, biomechanics, sequencing, philosophy, meditation techniques, theming, yoga business, and much more!

  • Get 500 hour certified
  • Learn anatomy, biomechanics, asana techniques
  • Expand your teaching skills
  • Masterful sequencing and verbal delivery
  • Learn meditation and breathwork techniques
  • Transformative tools: theming, dharma talks, satsang

INTEGRATION LEADS TO TRANSFORMATION

The beauty of this approach is that nothing is random. Each drill is intentional, each cue a puzzle piece that fits into the larger structure. From standing to seated to upside down, we build body awareness layer by layer. We don’t just attempt Side Crow, we construct it. The internal rotation, the spinal rotation, the controlled lean, all of it becomes part of us. This is what the Chromatic Yoga approach teaches: not just to perform, but to integrate. Our transformation doesn’t come from nailing the pose, it comes from respecting the path it took to get there. We practice discernment, meet resistance with strategy, and stay present in the process. As with any meaningful practice, the goal isn’t just to arrive, it’s to understand how we arrived. That’s the strategy. That’s the system. And in that, we prevail.

Take a deep dive into the Chromatic Yoga approach at Matt’s next Chromatic Level 1 In PersonTraining.  

Transform your yoga offerings to your students by registering for Matt’s 200 & 300/500 Hour Yoga Teacher Trainings.

The 200 Hr. Teacher Training: Click Here to See the Next Start Date

The 300 Hr. Advanced Teacher Training: Click Here to See the Next Start Date

Article by Trish Curling

Video Extracted From: Chromatic Yoga 15 Hour Online Immersion

lotus pose online yoga classes

ONLINE ANATOMY COURSE

  • Accessible, exciting, and easy to learn
  • Anatomy and biomechanics for yoga
  • Appropriate for both teachers and students
  • Learn joint alignment vs pose alignment
  • Demystify yoga poses and transitions
  • Release aches and pains
  • Learn how to avoid common injuries
  • Caters to all levels with modifications and props
  • 20 hours Continued Education Credits with Yoga Alliance
  • 20 hours toward Chromatic Yoga Certification and 300 Hour
  • Lifetime access

Continue Learning

Flying Revolved Half Lotus

Flying Revolved Half Lotus

Flying Revolved Half LotusARM BALANCEFLYING REVOLVED HALF LOTUS Some postures don’t arrive through imitation; they arrive through investigation. Flying Revolved Half Lotus is one of those shapes. It borrows familiar ingredients like Side Crow mechanics, hip opening,...

read more
Eka Pada Bakasana

Eka Pada Bakasana

Eka Pada BakasanaSINGLE LEG CROWEKA PADA BAKASANA Eka Pada Bakasana asks us to balance curiosity with patience. This one-legged crow variation isn’t just about lifting a leg, it’s about organizing pressure, timing, and trust in unfamiliar territory. The posture...

read more
Eight Angle Pose

Eight Angle Pose

Eight Angle PoseASTAVAKRASANAEIGHT ANGLE POSE Sometimes we think arm balances are about getting higher, but Matt reframes Eight Angle pose as a mechanics workshop. This posture thrives when we test rotation, pelvic placement, and upper-body stability as interconnected...

read more
Approachable Arm Balances

Approachable Arm Balances

Approachable Arm BalancesPARSVA BAKASANAAPPROACHABLE ARM BALANCES Approachable arm balances aren’t about fearlessness; they’re about informed action. When we understand the mechanics behind the posture, we gain the power to shape our own outcomes. Rather than jumping...

read more
Perfect Protraction For Crow Pose

Perfect Protraction For Crow Pose

Perfect Protraction For Crow PoseBAKASANAPERFECT PROTRACTION FOR CROW POSE When working toward perfect protraction for Crow Pose, it’s essential to understand the role of the serratus anterior, the “fingertip” muscles that wrap around the rib cage and attach to the...

read more
Help For Hamstrings

Help For Hamstrings

Help For HamstringsFLEXIBILITYHELP FOR HAMSTRINGS “Yoga butt” or high hamstring tendonitis can be a literal pain where the sit bones meet the hamstrings and glutes. This area is prone to overuse injuries, especially when repetitive forward folds overstretch rather...

read more

THE FREE TECHNIQUE PACK

When You Subscribe, You Will Get Instant Access to

  • the Technique Pack: 15 yoga pose breakdowns
  • exclusive online course discounts
  • exclusive blogs and videos
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

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