Firefly

Apr 17, 2018

Summer nights are soon upon us and so will be the magic of fireflies.  Their bioluminescence lights up backyards across the Midwest.  The gentle flashing on and off evokes a fairyland feel and sets the imagination alight.

The Yoga pose, Firefly (Titibhasana), also evokes a sense of delight.  It’s a challenging arm balance that can be more accessible to children than adults.

As Mountain (Tadasana) is the base pose for other standing poses, Crow (Kakasana) is the base pose for arm balances.  Once children are familiar with Crow pose, they can advance to Firefly. Children over age 7 are beginning to integrate previously disparate physical skills that require strength, coordination and balance into complicated movements.  Arm balance Yoga poses are the perfect challenge for children who like to explore their developing skills.

The hands and arms are in the same position for both Crow and Firefly. In Crow, the knees balance on back of the upper arms. In Firefly, the backs of the thighs balance on the upper arms. To balance in this tricky pose, one needs to lean back just enough to take the weight off the feet but not so far as to topple backward.  Shoot the heels forward, engage the navel and lift the heart to set this pose alight.

Arm balances like Firefly help a child develop focus, strength, confidence and discipline.  There is likely to be some joy as well when he sees he can get into this pose when many adults can’t!  If you are an adult who wants to teach a child in your life this or other arm balances, learn the basics, find a photo and let the child figure it out like a puzzle.  It’s common to hear shouts of “I did it!” and to see faces light up like fireflies lighting up summertime backyards.