This month’s pose represents the perfect balance of discipline and play. There are many ways to fool around and be unstructured. This pose requires a sense of playful determination and focus. You need to be focused, calm, and relaxed while at the same time playing with your edge.
I love how handstands can be done with very little preparation and almost anywhere: outside in the grass, in the airport, doctor’s office, or playground. What I have found is, it is the falling out that takes physical and mental preparation. It is scary falling backwards and upside down! It is nice to have a wall behind you. This pose also requires a surprising amount of flexibility and strength. The shoulders need to be flexible enough to align with the ears (think downward dog arms) without the assistance of gravity. The hamstrings need to be able to at least move the hips to 90 degrees. Entering a handstand gets easier the higher you can get your hips to start and the higher you can get your launching leg (the one in the air). Essentially, you want to start with the shoulders over the wrists and the hips almost over the shoulders already! Then you just simply (ha!) lift your legs over your already aligned hips and torso. The control and strength you develop in handstand and handstand prep will help you with every aspect of your practice. And it is fun to boot!
Peace,
Mimi
