1. Giselle Mari transitioned to handstand practice from utthita hasta padangusthasana, extended hand-to-big toe pose. From uttanasana, forward bend, cradle the hands and pick up a foot, coming up to standing with it. Extend the foot. Forward bend toward the toes. Let go of the foot but keep it extending forward. Remember how the core feels at this moment. Swing the front leg back to dancers pose, and bring it down to the ball of the foot. Kick up with the bent leg, keeping this knee to the chest. Eyes gaze slightly beyond the hands. Jump up 5 times. When you can stay afloat for 5 breaths, come into handstand. Come down to a lunge/hamstring stretch.

    Giselle Mari transitioned to handstand practice from utthita hasta padangusthasana, extended hand-to-big toe pose.

    From uttanasana, forward bend, cradle the hands and pick up a foot, coming up to standing with it.

    Extend the foot. Forward bend toward the toes.

    Let go of the foot but keep it extending forward. Remember how the core feels at this moment.

    Swing the front leg back to dancers pose, and bring it down to the ball of the foot.

    Kick up with the bent leg, keeping this knee to the chest. Eyes gaze slightly beyond the hands.

    Jump up 5 times. When you can stay afloat for 5 breaths, come into handstand.

    Come down to a lunge/hamstring stretch.

  2. Knees to the chest; Heels to the bottom.  When lifting off for handstand, do this for the leg that hops.  You will float up effortlessly.  You can also do knees to the chest; heels to the bottom, when hopping up with both legs. This takes more strength in the core (and I can’t do it yet). Advice comes from Kathryn Budig on Yoga Journal.

    Knees to the chest; Heels to the bottom. 

    When lifting off for handstand, do this for the leg that hops. 

    You will float up effortlessly. 

    You can also do knees to the chest; heels to the bottom, when hopping up with both legs. This takes more strength in the core (and I can’t do it yet).

    Advice comes from Kathryn Budig on Yoga Journal.

  3. Off the Wall : Falling Through Head and Handstand (via yogagarden)

  4. Yoga with Tara Stiles. The NYTimes recently wrote about her nonchalant style. This episode actually taught me how to get “hang time” from the handstand without a wall.

    Yoga with Tara Stiles. The NYTimes recently wrote about her nonchalant style. This episode actually taught me how to get “hang time” from the handstand without a wall.