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
I have been doing inversions for years. For handstand I can't get over my dependence on the wall. Over the last year, my goal has been to do a press to handstand. I was so excited when I saw you were offering this series. I know I have the strength, flexibility and balance, but there is something wrong in by positioning (and courage). I learned so much in this class. As always your ability to teach proprioception and kinesthesia is so beneficial to achieving progress. Thank you
Another fantastic practice with Rachel, the queen of cueing. This is a great practice for anyone wanting to learn an inversion or has done them for years (to go back and check how your shoulders are being used).
Comment Replies
LOL the Queen of Cueing!! I want to put that on my biz cards, now ;) So glad that you enjoyed~
Gosh, I found my body so calm and nourished after this practice. I could be wrong, but it felt like a sequence of subtle opening and closing of the heart chakra, which for me had the effect of gently dissolving any and all blockages in my chest. Rachel is really a master of calling equal attention to the physical shape of your body as well as the internal sensations and points of engagement you should focus on. Her classes have opened up a world of personal discovery about my body - especially those minuscule muscles and bones that didn't receive a lot of care and acknowledgment prior. Throughout my practice and in other classes on this site, I find myself striving for those same sensations that I first discovered in a Rachel class. I am looking forward to more strengthening, grounding, and lifting in this challenge.
Comment Replies
I so enjoyed reading this thoughtful reflection...what a beautiful observation of the connection between the physical actions and the more energetic experience of the heart. So beautifully said~XO
Welcome to the class, everyone! I hope you enjoy it :) ~Rachel