Handstand
with Tracey

This pose is by far not for everyone, but it does seem like an apropos asana in times that might appear to be upside down. We are offering some tips for handstand using a wall for support which will give  most of the same necessary ingredients for eventually, (or not), practicing a freestanding handstand.  Ok, here goes...and if it's not obvious, think hokey-pokey.

Ok, enough rock 'n' rhyme. Although, if you know a bit of what you're aiming for in handstand, this little verse is full of good tips and reminders.

Overall, this pose is about understanding your relationship with gravity and learning about extensional energy, and how they contribute to the nature of balance in this pose. The triangular set-up that creates the foundation of this posture, with shoulder-width hand placement, and the focus of your eyes gazing forward to the tip of an imaginary triangle where the floor and wall meet, will set you up for good foundational alignment when practicing handstand. Like the base of any asana, a proper foundation is essential.

The aim of the handstand is not to get to the wall, as so many people mistakenly try to do. Although that may sound odd, aiming your pose towards getting to the wall will misdirect your focus, and result in taking you out of learning, truly understanding, and being in control of your asana.

One aim is to keep your focus on both your forward gaze and on extension through the ball of your extended leg's foot. This counterbalance is needed to create the foundation of the pose, especially when free balancing. Additionally, the aim is not so much launching yourself upward, as it is on following through with the extended leg lifting and creating an arc as you move through space, always keeping your attention on the ball of your lead leg's foot. All asana is about sensing your body in its spatial surroundings.

Even more important, is learning how to work using opposition to the pull of gravity. This is part of understanding upward-moving energy in yoga. Start your handstand by putting energy through your extended leg, then propel that leg outward imagining the ball of your foot drawing an arc through the air. This will keep you engaged in the pose. Of great importance is staying aware of where your leg is, and essentially where the ball of that foot is, as it travels through space. The key to learning how to balance in this pose is to take your extended leg upward only as far as you can come back out of the pose landing quietly with little to no sound. This will indicate you are connected with the pose and using the core strength necessary to be engaged in the asana. Not giving up and letting gravity take over halfway through this pose, crashing back down to earth, means you are still actively in the pose. So many times people give little or no attention to the back half of an asana, or how they complete a posture. How you come out of this is pose so important to "getting" the handstand.

 If the wall does not meet your leading leg, do not give up on continuing to supply extensional energy in that leg and through the ball of your foot. Float back down to earth with the same grace as you attempted in going upwards. When you learn this important focus, you will begin to understand this pose. If the extensional energy you provide propels you to the wall, then so be it. At that point another phase of the pose takes place.

When you attain the ability and focus to come down from the handstand with lightness and relative silence, you will have gained the awareness of balancing by using the core strength and engagement, extensional, and upward moving energy required to eventually master this pose with the support of the wall.

Completing the handstand by staying aware and in control also lets you know you have the required strength to work on this posture. Handstand requires the adequate strength to attempt it--wall or no wall. That's a prerequisite. But if you have achieved the lightness described above, staying as present coming down from the pose as you do going up, then eventually reaching the wall will be a pleasant surprise. Once you reach the wall, keep your arms straight, and let the top of your head hang towards the floor, relaxing your gazing point. Do remember to reengage your gaze as you gently take yourself out of the pose.

Ganga has a principle in Yoga Beyond Belief:  "Start where you are and stay there."  It's the perfect wisdom, koan, and meditation for the handstand.