Buzz
In last week’s discussion, we explored how to balance well on your feet (or, better yet, on one foot). Now, we’re changing gears and focusing on hand balancing. It’s a whole new challenge! Whether you’re working on a handstand (still can’t do one myself) or attempting a yoga pose like crow (which I’m getting better at), it's a rewarding experience. Yoga teacher Robin Penney shares, “Here’s why I teach arm balances: It’s thrilling to see students achieve things they thought were impossible, and to guide them in finding variations of these poses that work for them.”
Hand balancing is an advanced skill, but the reward is worth it. Whether you’re in a handstand (still working on mine) or doing a yoga pose like crow (which I’m almost able to do), it’s a huge accomplishment. Yoga teacher Robin Penney says, “I teach arm balances because it’s amazing to watch students do things they thought they could never do, and to help them find variations of the poses that suit their bodies.”
Why not give arm balancing a go? Crow pose is a great place to start: place your hands on the floor, and fold your body so your knees rest on your arms. If you’re looking to build strength for handstands, you might want to try the frog stand, a calisthenics move designed to prepare you. It might seem intimidating at first, but it’s more manageable than it looks. Check out this video tutorial for the frog stand, and here’s another for mastering the crow pose.
When you're balancing on your hands, think of them as you would your feet from before. Imagine each hand as a tripod or one with four corners, aiming to evenly distribute your weight across them. Trainers often say it should feel as though you are 'gripping the ground,' activating all the muscles in your hands and forearms to maintain stability. Many of the moves you perform on your hands can also be done on your forearms for a more stable base: handstands, headstands, and even crow pose can be adapted this way. (In crow, your feet and nose will hover just an inch above the ground. It still counts!)
If that seems like a lot, don't stress—next week we'll focus on simpler exercises. But don't hesitate to add a few pillows around you and push yourself just a bit beyond your comfort zone.
