ASANA of the week: HANDSTANDS

Today's tip is for one of my favorites, HANDSTANDS!! The feeling of being completely upside down is scary. At first you can't tell which way is up or down, left or right, everything is disoriented and it feels as if everything will come crashing down any second now... which is usually what happens ha! That is until we start to intelligently train our bodies and mind to be strong, to balance, and to remain CALM. This is why I love handstands.

It has taught me how to respond and how to BREATHE in times of difficulty and fear. It has also taught me patience! Some days I'm feeling light as a feather and can almost feel like I am meditating upside down. Some times, I can barely lift one leg off the ground. But in the end, I have learned, that it is ok either way. Balancing on our hands do not make us better people so be happy with wherever you might be right now on your handstand journey! 

THE TIPS - so first one in the above image is warrior 3. I love this pose for preparing for handstands because it trains my body to LENGTHEN and to EXTEND! Stretch long from the back heel all the way fwd to the finger tips. This pose also gives me a chance to find the straight line that I will need to try and maintain in handstands. Make sure you keep your hips even and draw your lower belly in and up towards your spine! Then you can try the second image, keeping one foot pressed against the wall. Does this look familiar? Well it should because it is basically the same shape as the first image. This give us a chance to practice and engage everything from warrior 3, except ON OUR HANDS!

I recommend working on these 2 poses until you're comfortable, stable, and strong in them, before moving on to the final handstands. HAPPY HANDSTANDING :)