Adho Mukha Vrksasana (Handstand) – Weekly Advanced Class 77

This weeks advanced class focuses on adho mukha vrksasana (handstand). The video is a shorter length 20 minute tutorial style class. It starts with some preliminary poses that help to connect your arms with your torso in a straight, integrated line. The following poses start to link your legs into this line, as well as preparing you for the action of kicking up. In the next section of the class you practice kicking up with alternate legs. You focus here on keeping the knee of your leading leg straight, and kicking your heel straight up (as opposed to hooking it towards the wall).

From there you work towards the “bunny hopping” action by coming down from the pose keeping your knees and feet together. Once coming down has been consolidated you are ready to kick up with both feet together. Transferring your body weight from your feet into your hands as you kick up assists with this. From here you start to focus on the handstand free balance. A scissor action is used initially so that you can catch your balance with a lower centre of gravity. As you eventually bring your legs back together care is taken to move your legs simultaneously. You extend into the soles of your feet whilst keeping your knees straight. Whilst free balancing your balance will be in a continual state of flux. The middle knuckles of your fingers will visibly lift and drop as you continually shift your weight from your finger tips to the heels of your hands and vice versa.