Cranes and Airplanes

About This Class

Bryan Kest's "Cranes and Airplanes" is a richly layered, 100-minute dynamic flow that begins almost entirely on the floor and builds so gradually that students barely notice the escalating challenge. The class opens supine with deep diaphragmatic breathing and gentle spinal twists, progresses through shoulder stand, seated wide-leg forward folds, and reclined figure-four hip openers, then transitions to standing sequences featuring airplane pose, warrior III variations, extended hand-to-big-toe leg lifts, standing splits, twisted half-moon, and the signature "Bruce Lee Asana" karate-chop lateral leg extension. Arm balances — crane/Bakasana, tripod headstand, and extended crane — are offered in three scaled versions. The practice also includes deep knee bends and toe balance, a bow-pose backbend variation, rag doll, and half-lotus seated forward folds. Throughout, Bryan frames every physical action as a vehicle for meditation: sustaining a full, fluid breath is the primary discipline, and the class closes with a formal compassion meditation (metta) before a long savasana. Props are optional (blocks for modifications), and cautions are largely implicit rather than named, though modifications for intensity are consistently offered. The overall ethos is one of gentle self-care, moderation, and mindfulness rather than aggressive effort.