How To: Handstand

Posted on April 23, 2013
|
By Rachel Scott
|
Yoga Practice

Share Now

Step by step guide into handstand.

Here are some tips:

Straight arms: Keeping the arms straight will keep you and your students out of “nose to floor” danger
Midline: Hug the inner thighs together to maintain a neutral alignment in the hips
Straight legs: Keeping the legs straight makes your students safer, more supported, and more in control. Resist bending the knee to get to the wall – it will only create instability for most students
Shoulder blades: Draw the shoulder blades onto the back strongly to keep the upper back from rounding. The action of the thoracic spine keeps the upper body from shifting forward (avoiding that “nose-wall” relationship!)
Patience: Handstand is psychological as well as physical. Allow the gradual and calm unfolding.

Rachel Scott

Rachel supports yoga teachers and studios around the world to create transformational education experiences that help them thrive in their business, share their passion, and inspire more people to practice yoga. Her extensive knowledge and experience include: earning two masters degrees, authoring three books, leading 4,000+ hours of TT, building a teacher training college for a national yoga company, and working behind the scenes in yoga studio & teacher management for more than fifteen years. As a writer and speaker, she continually wrestles with the juicy bits of life: relationships, authenticity, and discovering meaning in this crazy, wildish world. E-RYT 500, YACEP, BA, MFA, MSci. Learn more about Rachel.