Day 19: Handstands
The next series of videos are from Sadie Nardini and offer a new perspective on how-to-do a handstand. This video focuses on shoulder alignment.
Enjoy!
Day 18: Handstands
Here is a how-to video on handstand. I’ve been training hard at the AcroYoga Teachers’ Gathering and really have to listen to my body for when is too much and when to take a break. Lesson learned: a potent minute is better than 10 minutes of mindless jumping around.
Day 17: Handstands
We’re nearing the end! I feel super strong and also aware of the fact that I do have enough time to find a minute for handstands each day.
Today’s video is a music montage of the officila handstand song: Chairlift’s Bruises. This video was shot on the Acro Green on Venice Beach which is a great place to play and do handstands! My AcroYoga Teacher Training group from August 2008 is part of the group jumping up to handstand towards the end.
Day 16: Handstands
# 1 reason I love handstands: Handstands are fun!
Today’s video blends the spirit of play, creativity and practice into a mind blowing breakdance suite.
Day 15: Handstands
I have been doing a lot of handstand drills this week and supporting others in their handstand. It’s helpful to see other people’s practice and get insights from them. While the practice is to dedicate a minute a day, it’s important not to overdo it. I’ve learned that continuing to go upside down when I tired leads to bad form and potential injury.
Today’s video has a set of exercises from downward dog that can be done to build strength, confidence and alignment before you go upside down.
Day 14: Handstands
My teacher Jason Nemer stresses two practices for success in handstand- ribs in/ hollow body and extension/ pressing into the ground as much as you can. Any roadblock I experience in the pose he resolves with one of these actions. I’m working many minutes a day on handstand and find that I can balance effortlessly, head neutral once I have my alignment set- small secret- the squeezing or tightness isn’t even as important then.
Today’s video is from the Burbs Channel on YouTube. This lady is rockin’! It’s a series of jumping into handstand using momentum. If your alignment is steady you can add hops to get your hips over shoulders and balance.
Day 13: Handstands
Today’s video demos the transition from bakasana/ crow pose to handstand.
The practitioner, Aaron Lind is an AcroYoga teacher in New Orleans that I just has the pleasure to meet and work with yesterday! He’s is very talented, as you’ll see below, and he gave me some challenging handstand assists during our training.
Day 12: Handstands
The one minute handstand is becoming relaxing. I’m able to focus on deepening my breath. If I’m at the wall I close my eyes and take in the feeling of my body in space. It’s divine! If I’m balancing I’m looking for that same ease through my alignment.
Here’s Part 3 of Krista Cahill’s Handstand lesson from Yoga Earth.
TerraFlow Video 13: Krista Cahill’s ABCs of Inversions Part III from YogaEarth on Vimeo.
Day 11: Handstands
How does it feel to be a regular handstander/ Skywalker?
I love the variety of videos available. It’s a reminder that there are many ways to practice. I have been alternating between holding a one-minute handstand and doing a particular training technique for a minute – such as tuck jumps, chest-to-wall, hollow body rocks.
Here is part 2 of the Krista Cahill handstand trilogy from yoga Earth. She has such amazing alignment and strength. I’m really inspired!
TerraFlow Video 10: Krista Cahill’s ABCs of Inversions Part II from YogaEarth on Vimeo.
Day 10: Handstands
I’ve arrived in Oakland, California for the AcroYoga Teachers Gathering. We spent a day training Acrobatics which included a lot handstand drills. My mantra is More extension! I’ve had many over the years of studying and refining handstands, such as “Hands shoulder-width apart”, “I don’t have elbows”, “Hollow Body”, “I am strong enough”, “Bananas are for eating, not my handstand alignment”, “Hips over shoulders” . . . A mantra gives me one thing to focus on at a time and is great for one minute of training. What is your mantra?
The next 3 days will be a trilogy of handstand videos from Yoga earth and Krista Cahill on handstand. I hope you enjoy them!
TerraFlow Video 8: Krista Cahill’s ABCs of Inversions Part I from YogaEarth on Vimeo.
