Buzz
Mastering handstands is no easy feat, but I’m steadily improving. With this month’s emphasis on simply going upside-down in any way you prefer, I decided to explore yoga inversions as well. Today, I successfully performed my very first headstand!
I followed the method demonstrated in the Yoga with Adriene video tailored for handstand beginners. The technique involves placing your elbows on the ground and forming a small cradle with your hands. Your head rests on the floor, while your hands support the back of your head like a yarmulke.
From this position, Adriene guides you through poses similar to downward dog, where your hips are elevated, and you alternate shifting your weight onto and off your head. Once you feel confident, you lift one foot, followed by the other.
I couldn’t quite manage her adorable tucked-in pose with knees to chest, so I gave my foot a gentle push and somehow ended up in a slightly awkward, uneven headstand. Following her suggestion, I positioned my back close to (but not touching) a wall. This way, whenever I lost balance, I could lightly tap my foot against the wall to regain stability. Here’s how it turned out:
After a bit more practice, I managed to straighten my legs as well. This pose only causes slight discomfort to your head and neck (take it slow and adhere to all of Adriene’s advice, alright?), and I found it far less daunting than handstands. Plus, it’s simpler to find a suitable spot to practice.
If you’re not prepared to fully invert onto your head, you can progress through the video at your own pace, practicing how to feel at ease with some of your weight supported by your head. If this feels effortless, consider advancing to forearm balances and, eventually, handstands.
