Progressing to Headstand

That was a lovely class, I really enjoyed it! I'm still not able to do handstand properly though - even though I have been trying for a while, I feel like there's something blocking me from stacking my hips above my shoulders. I just can't go past a certain point without having to lift my legs, and that's not how handstand is done in any of the classes I've seen. Is that normal? Are there any tips to overcome this?

excellent class, thanks for teaching us body and mind

I LOVED this class! What a beautiful deep stretch of my shoulders! I've been trying for weeks to do a headstand and this class really made it "click" for me! I'm still not able to get fully into headstand, just get my knees up, but now I understand how to do it and just need to work on my balance. It was such an amazing feeling to feel my feet just go UP and off the ground! Didn't think I could ever achieve even this small step! Thank you Fiji!!

I really like this class and very helpfull guidance to headstand. I would really appreciate similar approach, or even series about handstand!

This was incredible Fiji. I have never felt my lat's like that in my life. I was able to properly do the headstand raising one leg at a time. My eyes are so white and my face is so energized. I've been doing your classes daily for 3 weeks and I am already seeing such progress. Thank you! I am battling an eating disorder and yoga is truly helping me feel connected to my body on a positive level.

Another great class with Fiji!! My first attempt at headstands and I can see this creating the foundation for a gradual and sustainable progress into inversions!! Can't wait to give this class another go!!!

Aaaaaah! I've just finished this practice with a huge smile on my face! Although I have been "doing" headstand for a while, it felt great to really slow it down and work on the foundations again. My shoulders needed that strengthen and release! Thank you!

I have been able to do headstands for awhile, but the pressure in my head didn't quite feel right. This class allowed me to finally understand how to use my elbows and shoulders correctly. I did the headstand without any pressure to my head! This was a wonderful class! Thank you!

Beautiful class. Explicit instruction. Thank you Fiji!

Loved it. Completed first headstand during this video, so no issues whatsoever :-)

A huge thank you to Fiji and David - for many months I have been struggling with headstand to the point that I would start to panic if I knew one was coming up, but today that finally changed! Your class was perfect! I did a headstand! And now finally understand the importance of stacking the body and pushing into the arms to lift rather than putting pressure on the head! Thank you so much - you have helped me overcome what really was becoming a barrier to my practice! I hope this message gives a positive boost to your day as your class did mine :D THANKYOU!

I've done this a couple of times now and really like it, it's a great class for building strength in arms and shoulders! I'm looking forward to being able to raise my legs with practice. Thanks Fiji

That was great! Although I can do headstand, there's some fantastic tips in it, and a great workout. Nice one Fiji!

Thanks Fiji.

a really really great video, a beautiful addition to my day, and the perfect way to strengthen my practice today. Thank you!

Beautiful and inspirational class. Thank you Fiji.

Thank you for the terrific instruction at all stages of this class. I have done headstand many times before but have never felt so clear in using my shoulders and forearms. I was definitely challenged by the class, as I have lost most of my upper body strength in the last few months. Fiji is a great instructor and this website is such a gift.

Great class. I will try to do it on a regular basis, twice a week and hopefully it will help me with my headstand. Thank you Fiji.

What a beautiful class. Nice, gentle music, clear instructions. I did my first ever successful headstand without having to jump or push my legs up! Thanks :)

Great class! Managed my first successful (albeit short) full forearm inversion. Love having these videos at home - I skip all of the inversions other than crow in group classes because I don't want to fall on anyone. Today, I just toppled over into the bookshelf. I will definitely be coming back to this once my arms and shoulders get over how sore they are undoubtedly going to be.

So, I'm there enjoying my shavasana after this wonderful practice, I'm all in the moment, when a mosquito comes buzzing around my ear, and ruins the moment. Now I have to do it all over again.

I love all Fiji classes. This one challenges me with regards to a headstand Thank you Fiji for all your classes. I have been practising some of them for over a year and they always offer room for progress. You cannot be bored of any of them. Progress in yoga is like an infinity and the journey is wonderful. Thank you Fiji and thank you David for such a great gift of doyogawithme.com. You are with me every day.

This was a great class, I could feel my upper body getting warm and energized. I will definitely repeat it and work up to a headstand.

This is an amazing class; a powerful flow and I just love the calm and precise teaching style of Fiji McAlpine. Thank you!
As usual, I could not finish a class that concentrates too much on inversions, but this is just because I have an angioma in my forehead that really hurts when I stay too much time with my head dropped down. So, it' all good: it's just the way I'm built :)
Again thank you Fiji, this was the longest I've ever been able to do lots of inversions and it's all due to your amazing ability to create well balanced and progressive flows :)

I was always affraid of going into headstand but this practice made me feel ready and made headstand feel sooo easy. I've been doing a lot of Fijis videos and i must say that she is an amazing teacher. Good job ! Namaste

This class was awesome- challenging but pushed me enough to successfully get my first headstand. I've never attempted in a class before, because I've always been afraid of falling on someone. I felt warmed up and ready by the time I reached that portion of the video, and the instruction was great. Thanks!

I have been able to get into headstand but not previously with the double leg lift. I also have been "dumping" too much into my neck. This class was wonderful in both the preparatory asanas and the actual headstand instructions. Great for my shoulders. I will certainly seek out more classes by Fiji!

Thanks so much Fiji. I've yet to do one of your classes that isn't excellent and this one was no exception. Really clear careful explanations, and challenging, different but do-able asanas that all flow together beautifully.

This was a great class for getting into headstand! I've been practicing for 3 years and have tried headstand in the beginning, only to topple over. After continuing my yoga practice and taking this class today, I got up right away and was able to hold my pose with little assistance from the wall. Thanks so much!

Great workout! Very well explained and coached throughout. I enjoyed and will repeat.
Aloha

I especially loved the beginning of the class - very powerful. I modified the sequence to fit my body. I loved the deepness and clarity of direction from the ears to the smiling chest. Thank you Fiji. Namaste.

When my husband picked this sequence for last night, I was quite leery as I hadn't yet successfully risen in headstand. I've practiced and used the wall or a spotter to keep me from flipping over. Until today, I have always fallen.

By the time the headstand portion began, I was very warmed up and open. Honor your body; the progression is tough. There were times where I felt like my arms were going to burn off, but I persevered knowing this was not an easy asana to complete and that it is building my foundation to be successful.

The arm positioning part is the most helpful piece. Clearly, my problem before was positioning of both the arms and head. Listening to Fiji explain the flesh movement and body placement set my foundation so well that all of a sudden I realized that something just felt right and I popped up slowly, firmly, and naturally into my first successful headstand!

The coolest part is that my husband was at the wall, and I was in the middle of the floor working dolphin. So, when I popped up, I was free-headstanding! I was so pleasantly surprised and felt so strong!

The only thing I could ask for is a little longer relaxation sequence. I was bubbling with energy and needed a bit more transition to savasana.

Thank you, Fiji! You have helped me grow in my practice. And I don't know how you talked through that entire sequence. You are one strong yogini! :)

Thank you Fiji, I dont ever think my shoulders have been that open. Such an amazing and safe class.

Really liked the class, but as someone who is at a place between beginner & intermediate, the actual headstand portion was quite hard (I didn't even attempt to actually get up). Just makes me want to keep practising until I can.

I just loved this class. Beautiful, graceful flow to inversions. Succint and clear directions. Thank you so much Fiji for your gifts of sharing your practice with me.
Namaste.