I freaking got up into headstand!!

[feministyogini]

2008 was the year of the plank for me.  I worked really hard on building strength so I could stay up in plank and do chaturanga into upward dog without coming down to my knees.  I feel really strong doing them now.  This year I've set a goal of working on inversions.  I've never been able to do a headstand or handstand or forearm balance like

Comments

[feministyogini]

thanks! It was very exciting.

[sophia_helix]

When I was a kid I learned how to do a headstand by practicing with my back up against the wall and then slowly kicking away from it for longer and longer periods, which was probably super-dangerous given that I used to do it on the landing of our stairs. I got really good at it and could do it pretty much indefinitely... and of course, that skill was long ago lost somewhere in my teens. Sigh.

Good luck with yours!

[feministyogini]

thanks! whoa stairs - brave girl you were!!
I think if I'd been less afraid to try things like this as a child, I wouldn't be so fearful as an adult so I'm working on exploring curiousity without fear.

[contrary_wise]

I am impressed. Go 2009 goals!

On another note, I am back to hacking away at methodology and was wondering if you'd be willing to let me bounce a few thoughts off you later this week.

[feministyogini]

absolutely!

[avuxeni]

Wow, healthy body, healthy mind! Congratulations on your progress-- this sounds really challenging and impressive!

[feministyogini]

thanks, I'm trying. Goodness knows my physical health had not been a priority for many years until the last few.

[sashajwolf]

That's great! I still can't reliably do headstand in the middle of the room, but I'm working on it. I usually practise near the wall so I can use it to halt my momentum if I need to, but I try not to need to, if that makes sense. In Sivananda, we use the "traditional" hand/arm placement, but we raise both legs together, in three stages: knees to chest, then raise thighs to vertical so the feet are behind the body, then finally raise feet. I find that's a good combination for me - the tripod makes my hands feel more stable and taking the legs up in slow stages helps with the problem of getting pulled over the top by the momentum.

[sashajwolf]

I was inspired by your comments a while back to ensure focus on a dristy.
I like the 3 stage method. Too often I hear teachers say, "okay, now kick up" like it's that easy! The more controlled method seems better. I'll work on that.

[feministyogini]

that was me, btw :)

[sashajwolf]

Glad that helped!