Inversions have a way of peaking our curiosity. I know when I first started practicing yoga being able to balance on my head seemed like the most far fetched idea in the world. It felt completely unattainable yet at the same time a part of me was really excited by it!
Going upside down was extremely hard for me at first. I was scared of falling and injuring neck and wasn’t comfortable with the adrenaline rush that comes with it. I decided to keep practicing and stick with it and I’m glad I did because today inversions are a huge part of my practice!
Headstand is the first inversion I learn and is a great place to start.
Disclaimer: Headstand is not for everyone. If you feel any pain in your neck while donig this pose – stop! People with neck or back injuries should abstain from this pose.
If you’d like to learn how to get into it, here are 4 ways to give it a try:
1. Interlace your fingers and place your forearms on the ground. Place the top of your head in between your forearms. Straighten your legs and walk your toes in as much as you can. Start to bend one knee and hug it in to your chest. Kick or float the other leg up. Stay close to a wall if needed.
2. Put on some slippery socks and move your mat out of the way. Interlace your fingers, place your forearms down and place the crown of your head down between your arms. Engage your core as you slide your feet towards you. Keep your legs straight and play with engaging the lower abdominals to hover the feet an inch or two off the ground, or float your legs up.
3. Place your palms on the ground shoulder width distance apart and lower the crown of your head down to form a triangle shape. Straighten your legs and walk your toes in. Place one knee on your tricep and then maybe the other. Hold here or start to straighten your legs coming into tripod headstand.
4. Take your tripod variation (palms flat on the ground) and straighten your legs to lift the hips up. Reach one leg towards the ceiling, bend your supported leg and softly kick up either against the wall or away from the wall. Try to use less momentum and more core work.