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Create a Free AccountHeadstand Pose: Shoulders and Core
Intermediate III
Note: instead of two blocks, you can use two thick books. This is the first in a series of classes on the essential elements of headstand pose (sirsasana). In this class, Crista helps you with the strength and flexibility in the shoulders that you need to move into and out of this challenging pose, and hold it without putting too much pressure on the head and neck. You won't be doing headstand just yet, so don't be afraid! The next class in this series is Headstand Pose: Leg Strength and Flexibility.
Equipment:
- Block
Style:
Comments
Existing Comments
This was a GREAT workout...but Christa always makes it fun and calming. While my shoulders are torched and my core is twitching, my whole self is peaceful and content. Perfect class! Namaste
I loved how much work my shoulders received. Wonderful feeling. Thank you!
I also loved this! So strengthening (I have a slight body and not much arm strength) and lots of joy! Feel energised and buoyant on finishing. Thank you, Christa. Your classes are radiant.
I loved this class, it not only helps me to strengthen towards headstand, but also really opened up my chest from doing pole fitness. Seems simple but really makes you sweat.
Love the eagle pose arm variations. I was able to access some deeper tension and lengthen it out with that pressure on the floor. Love her manner, well-cued but doesn't take it too seriously; refreshingly lightweight while physically challenging. Thanks!
Thank you Crista! I carry so much tension in my shoulders and neck and sometimes experience limited movement. Now I feel more free to move. Excellent!
Although I can do headstand, classes such as this are really wonderful for challenging my alignment, which can rely too heavily on my flexibility. I always take the strongest, most difficult "Dolphin" and I'm learning that rather than keeping my forearms parallel, to bring them a bit more in a v-shape whilst still leaving my elbows under my shoulders. I will definitely keep doing this series and revisit this class again. I especially appreciate that Crista calls out postures before going into them as it helps me to keep the flow and spend less time looking toward the monitor. Namaste from Ireland.
Christa offers just the right balance between sweet fun and challenge. Loved this one too - even though those Dolphin push-ups are something else! All these creative shoulder openers are divine and definitely revisit-able!
Wow this class stretched out my upper back across my shoulders. Wonderful. I really needed this particular stretch. Thank you.
It would be nice to have some indication of which class is the next in the series, like you have with the challenges.
I've included it now. You can also go to our <a href="https://www.doyogawithme.com/peak-poses">Peak Pose Challenge</a> page to see the order. You'll see Crista's Headstand Pose challenge there.
Upper back and neck delight
This is the perfect class for relieving shoulder/neck tension (which is a chronic issue for me). Christa's beautiful instruction really targets those pesky tight areas in the neck and upper back, while at the same time building strength in those areas. Thank-you so much for this class, I feel like I just came back from a massage :)
This was my first class on this website. It was such a joy to have it with Christa. She is so sweet and has very nice direction. I really enjoyed this class. Thank-you so much. I have not practiced yoga in almost a year and was nervous about restarting. This was a very welcoming reintroduction.
Simply amazing. ... Christa always makes me smile during practice. Thank you
I woke up with a terrible crick in the neck and it was aching so bad! I actually get stuff like that quite often and it takes days before it goes away. But it was gone after this class like a miracle! Christa’s energy is great for sluggish days, she really picks your mood up.
Being a percussionist, I get shoulder problems a lot cos of overuse and tension, this class is the perfect stretch to cure them. Thank you so so much! I could not be more grateful and happier to have found this class.
I am always hesitant to get on the mat with a Crista class because I know before I start that it's going to be some work.
That being said, this class was just the work I needed for a Sunday morning. It felt a tad bit on the gentle side (with the exception of the dolphin pushups). With classes like this, I'm sure headstand is only a few practices away.
I was feeling heavy and sluggish today from all the cold, damp weather lately. I thought I would attempt this practice and see how much I could do. Thank you Crista, not only was I able to keep up, I feel completely re- energized and back to my happy self.
Great class! Looking forward to trying this again and to move onto the next. It's hard to break through, let go of tension, and build strength but Crista somehow makes me laugh while doing it. Thank you!!