Once upon a time, I read a post in alt.yoga from somebody having trouble entering Handstand. I resolved to create a step-by-step program to illustrate some wonderful hints presented to me by Elize Browning-Miller. I feel so blessed by meeting her because, thanks to her, I have been able to launch my bulky self with more aplomb than many of my more adept peers.
Here are some of the hints she gave me.
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First, sit in Dandasana with your feet against the wall. Precision isn't that important. Just take note of where your hands are placed as they rest on the floor next to your hips. | ||||||
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| It helps if you are sitting on a carpet, because your hands will leave an indentation. It is very important to know where your hips are in relation to the wall, so, if you cannot leave an indentation, place something to mark the spot, like pennies, or, in this case, candles. | |||||||
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Now, stand in Downward Facing Dog with your feet against the wall and your hands on the place where the markers sat (I have my hands on the markers in the figure right for illustration only.) Try not to exhaust yourself in this position, because it is only preparation for much more effort to come. | ||||||
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| Now that you are in posititon, begin! Place one foot against the wall about butt level. Then put the other one next to it, and push out. This is called Half-Handstand (I'm forget the original name for it. Email me if you know.) | |||||||
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Here is where all the work begins. Concentrate on straightening everythin out and strengthening the lines that hold you in. Build up your tolerance by extending the time in this position every time you go into it. | ||||||
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| I believe that the hugest obstacle to a completing a good handstand is the nervous system's unfamiliarity with being upside-down. The body really doesn't know what to expect, so it can't give the brain what it asks for. Since going into this Half-Handstand is so much simpler (you are in it before you even realize it,) the nervous system teaches itself the feeling. Strength, however, is another obstacle to attaining proper Handstand. Half-Handstand is actually much more strenuous than full Handstand. You still have to hold yourself up by the arms, plus you have to push yourself out into a perpendicular angle. If you can sustain yourself for a minute or more, then Handstand itself will be easier. | |||||||
