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3 Ways to Come into Supported Headstand

January 13, 2015

Come check out the latest posts on the Yoga Forum! It's a great little corner of the internet where we're sharing thoughts, suggestions and feedback for various aspects of the yoga practice.

Many people participating in the 31 Day Yoga for Strength Program are working on headstand, so I thought I'd take the opportunity to share three different ways to come up into headstand. Switching up how we enter various poses is a good way to challenge ourselves and keep things fresh (which is code for "sometimes I switch things up that are seemingly easy and wind up falling flat on my face").

How to Do Supported Headstand

August 30, 2013

It took me a long time to learn how to do this. Mostly because I was scared of being upside down, and also because I just didn't have the core and upper body strength to balance for more than half a second. I've finally got it down, and it's become one of my favorite inversions. It strengthens the lungs, builds core, shoulder, forearm and tricep strength. It also improves digestion, and helps to relieve stress and mild depression.

Do not do this pose if you have a headache, have high blood pressure, a neck or back injury, a heart condition or are menstruating.

TIP: Most of the weight should be in the forearms. There should be very, very little weight in the head/neck. Practice against a wall first.

PS- A pose that's great for hamstrings and abs, a pose that improves posture, and a strength-building pose we see often in yoga.