Preparing for Handstand
In this practice, Rachel guides you to a peak pose of handstand prep pose where you will begin to cultivate the shoulder and upper awareness that is essential for supporting yourself properly upside down. Note: You will need a wall to do the practice.
This can either be done as a stand-alone class, as Day 2 of Rachel's 7-Day Inversion Challenge or as Day 28 of the Daily Dose 30-Day Intermediate Yoga Challenge.
Comments
When Rachel put her feet up the wall, I thought "well, there's no way I'll be doing that". And then I did. It didn't even feel forced or awkward, because Rachel had explained so well how to engage the shoulders and the core and what sensation to look for.
Hey Rachel, I’ve been terrified of doing a handstand all my life, but this course of yours has finally given me the push to go through with it. Our apartment is tiny so there isn’t much space for me to fall over without smashing something but I guess this will force me to concentrate that much more. Thanks and see you on the other side.
This is such an AMAZING series! Thank you, Rachel! I second the "Queen of cueing" comment. Whether it's jellyfish, blueberries, PEZ dispensers, or one of the many other vivid images you refer to, you know exactly how to explain so that I know how to position and focus my body, energy and thoughts. I am absolutely terrified of handstand, but am so motivated to do it. My big achievement today was getting both feet (however small a distance and however briefly ;) up the wall and off the floor at the same time. It was a tough class, a great exercise in focus and a very rewarding experience. Looking forward to Day 3!
Thank you so much for these classes Rachel, I am finding them so helpful and I'm certain I will keep returning to this class and this challenge. I have recently begun calesthenics (very much still a beginner) and can tell that this will help my calesthenics training as well as my yoga practice (a lot of scapula chat going on in my life right now!) I still feel nervous about flipping up into handstand but these classes feel like great first steps. Thank you!