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I've been practicing astanga and mandiram vinyasa for just under a year. I'm now trying to learn to do a headstand without leaning on a wall, but I'm having a rather difficult time. I feel like I'm strong enough, but I have a really hard time keeping my balance and getting of the floor without inertia (as I've heard you're supposed to, by lifting your legs up slowly and "unrolling"). Can anyone offer some tips? Thanks in advance and blessings...
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re: headstanding
Thu, February 26, 2009 - 4:57 PMHello Mish,
Glad You are working towards this excellent posture : )
To enter sirsasana (headstand) from balasana (child's posture), I like to place the crown on the floor, put the arms in place, straighten the legs while raising the butt and then together, carefully bring the feet up.
It helps to develop the confidence be relaxed in the event of a forward roll, so some forward rolling may be a nice preparation.
If You've been using the wall from nearby, then some suggest retreating a little more than the length of the shin (tibia), entering sirsasana, and then bending one knee at ninety degrees, so some part of the foot can lightly touch the wall, then eventually weening away...
I like to balance the drying nature of this by following up with a twist like matsyendrasana or ardha matsyendrasana (www.abc-of-yoga.com/yogaprac...ist.asp).
In Joy,
Roric -
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Re: re: headstanding
Fri, February 27, 2009 - 10:57 AMThanks very much for the advice! I've had the forward roll thing happen, so practicing ahead of time is a good tip. So far the most difficult thing for me is bringing my feet up (even with the help of a wall) without "jumping" and depending on inertia. Right now it seems almost inconceivable! Do you have any tips in this aspect? I assume core strength is important, but perhaps using a bandha? Thanks again and many blessings! -
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Re: re: headstanding
Fri, February 27, 2009 - 12:09 PMIn Sirsasana: You might want to practice close to a wall until you can easily go up without touching the wall.
With the arms and head down, try walking the feet in until the hips are over the shoulders. With a strong lifting in the shoulders you should be able to feel the weight on the feet get light as you walk them in. A little core strength should then let the feet lift a little from the floor while you stay balanced on the arms and head. At this point you can bring the legs up without any jumping or kicking at all. Practice. -
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Re: re: headstanding
Fri, February 27, 2009 - 2:05 PMCore strength will definitely help with balance! As I've practiced Sirsasana over the years I also gradually moved away from the wall. I would have days when I didn't feel so steady and having the wall behind me made me feel more comfortable.
Keep practicing! :-)
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Re: re: headstanding
Sun, March 1, 2009 - 5:08 PM~ Curry ~
Just thinking of how to put in words and now see You have already written,
"the feet in until the hips are over the shoulders"
Was gonna say, "draw tailbone toward wall and feet will lift."
Imagine this is saying same...
(Namaste) ~
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Re: re: headstanding
Sun, March 1, 2009 - 5:48 PMwell Mish inertia mean sno movement.
it seems to me that you are NOY using the core abdomen musckles to help you do this.
it takes tiem using those core muscles.
Another way to do thi sis to place yourself leg distance away from the wall and face it in a th ebeginning of the headstand.. then creep one leg up the wall. well, the foot.. until it is parallel with the floor. Then creep the other foot up the wall.and you have an upside down L against the wall.Now use the abdomen to raise and lower just one leg. Then ty with the other.
it is about playing around in the pose to energize and to activate the muscles which can help you. -
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Re: re: headstanding
Sat, March 7, 2009 - 9:02 AMIf you cannot do it, there is an alternative, i.e. Savang Asan.
Lie down flat on your back.
Take you legs up slowly
with the help of your palms, give support to your waist
hold your legs up and try to make your body straight up to neck
if you dont do it, make little.
I have been so tought by my Asan Guru,
of course I can practice Shirshasana with no difficulty,
but it is found difficult by some people having more weight,
for such people, Sarvand Asan is best alternative.
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