May

Getting The Hang Of Yoga Inversions

Ok, it may sound weird. But now I look forward to doing inversions in yoga class. Especially handstands and headstands.

I used to be afraid of doing handstands and headstands. In fact, at the beginning I dreaded going into handstand as I could never kick up! It’s like my hip is always so heavy ( yeah, big heavy bum plus weak arms and a innate fear of being inverted ) and the hips just refuses to tip over. I remember being so frustrated ( well, maybe not as frustrated as headstand ) and pretty helpless. Teachers could not figure out what was wrong with me… cannot kick up to a handstand against the wall despite going for yoga classes for more than 6 months.

Finally one day I got it. And there after, it just got easier and easier to kick up to handstand. In fact, I am pretty elated to say that I managed to balance for 2 seconds during yesterday’s class. We were doing partnering and helping each other do handstand while in the middle of the room. Partners help by being the “wall” as well as to lift us up into the handstand.

The ultimate goal is to be able to lift a leg up and then shift your weight on your arms and hands and then to slowly lift the other leg up (no kicking) while being in the middle of the room.

Impossible? Apparently not… have seen several people doing that. It’s just so beautiful and inspiring.

Take a look at this!

WPvideo 1.10

Ana Forrest straddle to handstand

Amazing strength and grace. This is Ana Forrest! She did it so gracefully and without any effort.