Try not to arch your back,
which can be especially
tempting if your feet are
resting against a wall for
support. To avoid this,
imagine someone is about
to punch you in the stom-
ach, which will engage your
core, tightening inward and
up and lengthening your
low back—taking you out
of that banana shape.
Push your hands firmly into the
ground to feel even more lift in
your feet. Handstand is all about
rooting down through your hands
to rise up and balance.ADHO MUKHA VRKSASANA
Handstand
While this is often the most fear-inducing
inversion for practitioners, it’s actually an
advanced inversion with a low chance of
injury. After all, it doesn’t place as much stress
on your shoulders as Pincha Mayurasana, and
it’s one of the easiest inversions to fall out of
and catch yourself without causing serious
damage to your head, neck, or shoulders.HOW TO Start in Downward-Facing Dog
and walk your feet about a foot closer to
your hands, bending your knees as much
as needed if your hamstrings are tight. Stack
your joints here, making sure your shoulders
are above your wrists and your hips are above
your shoulders. Gaze at a point between your
hands and lift one leg straight up. Lower your
leg, return to the starting position, then lift
the other leg skyward. Bend your standing leg
at the knee and hop your foot an inch off the
floor, then 12 inches, continuously hopping
higher with control (read: not using momen-
tum!) until that leg is stacked over your hips.
When you’re ready, bring your standing leg
up to meet your floating leg.FOURFOUR