Crocodile pose (Chataranga Dandasana) is technically called Four-Limbed Staff Pose but I have yet to meet a kid who wants to do Four-Limbed Staff Pose. However, they all jump at a chance to imitate a Crocodile. I explain that our crocodile has two things he does:
- He is an active hunting crocodile, looking for food
- He is a lazy, relaxed crocodile, basking in the sun
Crocodile Pose – Chataranga Dandasana
- Kneel on all fours in Table position
plank pose in preparation for crocodile pose
- Straighten your legs behind you in Plank position
- Slowly lower your body, keeping your elbows in touching your ribs, body straight, legs lifting
- Hold off the ground slightly for an active, hunting crocodile
- Relax on the floor with your head to one side for a crocodile basking in the sun
Benefits: strengthens the arms and wrists, great core workout
Usually we practise this pose two or three times in a row, each time bringing attention to a different aspect of the pose. I also encourage the kids to hold the pose for as many seconds as they are old (5 seconds for a 5 year old, 10 seconds for a 10 year old, etc). Alternatively we lower slowly on the exhale for a count of 10. Hunting, looking, working all the while. Everyone is always happy to be the basking in the sun crocodile. That, of course, only happens after the work is done (insert life lesson on “work before play makes play all the sweeter” here as they rest).
I use this pose as a Lizard when we visit The Pet Store, as a Komodo Dragon when we tour Indonesia, and as a Dragon when the theme is Warriors & Princesses.
Watch for more animal poses in the coming weeks which will tie together in an upcoming yoga adventure story perfect for pre-school and elementary aged kids.
No related posts.
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.
This is so great! I never thought of Chaturanga Dandasana as a short-limbed lizard-type animal pose! Of course, it makes perfect sense and is one of the more difficult and strength building poses.
For younger kids I’ve used the “Idiot’s Guide to Teaching Kids Yoga” version of crocodile and alligator (2 different poses). Both are a little easier for younger children and allow them to chomp, chomp using their legs or arms. Little kids love this activity – especially when you make it a game, where some kids (or parents/caregivers) have to hurry through past the sleeping alligator without getting chomped. (Alligator pose is done by lying on the floor on one’s back. Arms are straighened up overhead, along the floor with palms together to form a pointy tail. Legs turn into the alligator’s mouth, and by scissoring them open and closed (one leg is raised while the other remains flat on the floor) one can pretend to “chomp!”)
Yes, I’ve seen the chomping alligator done but never thought of making it a group activity like that. Great input! I can imagine how much kids would love to chomp someone’s legs as they walk/run past. Will definitely try that.