Headstand 101

Wow, I did not know that attempting a headstand could feel so good! The opening and energy is just what I needed. Thanks Sandra!

@Donna: the reason to learn Handstand before Headstand might be to build up strength and awareness in the arms and upper body in an inverted position so you will not compromise your neck muscles. So, in itself that is good advice! The way I am teaching Headstand here is with the head lifted away from the floor so the neck muscles are not being taxed at all. You will learn to use the strength in your arms and integrate the shoulders before putting any weight on your head. This is a very safe way to learn to do Headstand (but you can always keep practicing Handstand too!)

@Katelyn: everybody has poses that are more challenging than others (I have plenty on my "difficult list!!"). The reward is often found in those poses, wether we learn to master them or not. Keeping an inquisitive and open mind when practicing these poses will reveal the deeper layers of our learning. It is the process of continued practice with these qualities that are often the key to mastering the pose. And when you do, it's likely you'll surprise yourself one day getting into the pose without that much effort! Enjoy! X

Just brilliant, thank you Sandra x

I used to do this class regularly but since hurting both arms in separate incidents I haven't done it for over 18 months. I thought I'd try it again this evening as I remember it being one of the best shoulder opening classes. I'm so glad I did. The whole class is great and then when it came to going upside down I was fully prepared for and accepting of not being able to get up (as even though I used to do the class weekly I almost never managed to get up) but lo and behold up I went and stayed there. Because of my various injuries over the last year or so I thought I'd been getting weaker and less flexible - I can't do chaturanga any more for example - but it's shown me that all the other yoga I've been doing is strengthening and loosening me in other areas and I'm stronger than I thought. I feel so exhilarated now. Thank you thank you Sandra.

Finally! After months of repeating this class I managed to get myself up and stay for a couple of seconds. I can definitely feel my shoulders arms and core are stronger, and it felt exhilirating to be completely upside down at last. Thank you Sandra for your wonderful teaching. X

Hi Sandra!..I'm a little hesitant to start practicing headstand because I've heard that you should learn handstand before headstand. Is there any truth behind this? Thanks

@ Melissa: If you have some smaller sized cardboard boxes that might work too. They need to be a bit sturdy although you're not putting weight on it. Yoga blocks are good to have, you can buy them online for a really good price these days, but anything else that looks like one (as far as measurements) will do!

thank you Sandra! Namasté

Very nice! Thank you for your detailed instructions on how to do this inversion.

Thank you Sandra! I will use your recommendations while I wait for my new yoga blocks to arrive in the mail!

What are people using who don't own 3 yoga blocks? I only have one.

Thanks Sandra! I feel so close to getting it but am not quite there yet. Def find it discouraging that some poses come so easy to me, but others like headstand and crow are so much of a challenge. Beautiful sequence though!

Dear Sandra, thanks for this great tutorial. I found if very useful. BTW: i have one question. Is it normal that I can not manage to lift up my legs using the blocks? Without the blocks my legs are coming up much easier and I manage to hold the pose for quite long. Does it mean that my alignment without the blocks is in a way "wrong"? I guess it's difficult to answer this question without really look at my while holding the pose, but if you have some ideas please share. Thanks and Keep On Going with this great videos! Francesca.

Fab way of teaching headstand. Thanks for this Sandra

Thanks Sandra, very helpful class and really enjoyed it, Namaste

Thank you Sandra, it's a great tutorial! I was quite afraid of headstands, and never thought that I could do it on my own, without a teacher around to support me :) I'm feeling great that I achived it, and definetly loved the pose! I will keep practising... Thank you again :)

Thank you! This was my first attempt at headstand, and I managed to pull away from the wall a few times. So happy :) You give great instructions!

Thank you!

Thank you so much for this tutorial Sandra. I'm really quite tight in my shoulders so was a very glad of all the preparatory opening work and discovered to my joy that for the first time my headstand felt comfortable and I could both keep my legs off the wall and breathe!! Such a wonderful feeling and I can't wait to try again :-)

wonderful class, thanks a lot, Sandra. Namaste

great! exactly where i need to start i had been practicing yoga for 2 years and i'm overcoming fear of hurting my wrists/shoulders by going up side down, so this is really good. thank you

Hello, I'm desperate! I can stand in Headstand if someone takes my legs up and stay there for almost one minute but can't get there by myself. I've tried for one month and without any result. What do I have to work to be able to lift my leg up? Is it abdominals, Is it fear,.... Thanks a lot in advance Brigitte