The post Benefits of Practicing Handstands appeared first on yourdailysportfix.com.
]]>Being able to not only lift your legs into the air, but then hold them still and balanced takes some serious core strength. As you practice (even if it’s against a wall at first), your core strength and therefore, your balance, will improve!
There are very few muscle groups (if any) that handstands don’t strengthen, but it sure does focus on the upper body. Your shoulders, arms, and upper back will all gain strength. If you are a beginner, it’s important to work these muscle groups so that you can actually hold a handstand for more than a few seconds.
If you’re ever in a bad mood, practicing your handstands for even a few seconds is sure to boost your mood. You might even finish with a smile on your face! The rush of blood flow to your brain will energize and calm you all at the same time.
The post Benefits of Practicing Handstands appeared first on yourdailysportfix.com.
]]>The post Turn Your Yoga Practice Upside Down With These Inverted Poses appeared first on yourdailysportfix.com.
]]>Dolphin Pose is similar to Downward-Facing Dog and is an effective way to strengthen your shoulders if you’re looking to eventually balance in a forearm stand. Start in a Downward Dog position, then slowly lower your forearms to the mat while keeping your elbows directly under your shoulders. Press your palms into the floor, forming a triangle with your forearms. Continue to lift your hips upward, holding for 5-10 breaths before releasing into a Child’s Pose.
If you’re looking for something a bit more restorative, Legs Up the Wall can help to improve circulation and promote a sense of calm without challenging your muscles or sense of balance. On your bed, the floor, or any comfortable surface, lie on your back with your hips close to a wall. Extend your legs upward, resting them against the wall with your knees slightly bent. Hold for 5 minutes, breathing deeply into your belly.
Supported Shoulder Stand is similar to handstand in that it positions the body almost completely upside down, but requires significantly less skill to perform. In addition to encouraging lymphatic drainage, the gentle pressure this posture exerts on the throat is a great way to stimulate the thyroid. To perform Supported Shoulder Stand, place a folded blanket under your shoulders and lie on your back. Lift your legs and hips upward, placing your hands on your lower back or your hips against a chair for support.
The post Turn Your Yoga Practice Upside Down With These Inverted Poses appeared first on yourdailysportfix.com.
]]>The post How to Protect Your Wrists When Practicing Handstands appeared first on yourdailysportfix.com.
]]>Just as you would warm up the rest of your body before a workout, your wrists need love too! You can start with some simple stretches and movements to prepare them for the rest of your workout.
Most people don’t naturally have the strength in their wrists to hold their full bodyweight for long (or at all), so it’s a good idea to work on your wrist strength before beginning your handstands. There are various exercises you can do to build this strength including barbell wrist curls and yoga poses like downward dog and pike.
If you’re able to buy paralettes, these mini parallel bars are great for changing the angle of your wrist during handstands. It eases some of the stress put on the wrist because your hands aren’t kept at a right angle against the ground. Instead, you can naturally grip the bars and say goodbye to wrist pain!
The post How to Protect Your Wrists When Practicing Handstands appeared first on yourdailysportfix.com.
]]>The post Tips For Learning How To Do Handstands appeared first on yourdailysportfix.com.
]]>It’s important to recognize when your core muscles are properly engaged, and it can be a bit easier to feel this a bit closer to the ground. Begin on your yoga mat on your hands and knees, lower down to your elbows and bring your hands together so that your fingers are interlaced. Lower your head to the mat between your hands and lift your hips up. Walk your feet forward so that your hips are in a downward-facing dog position, then slowly lift your legs up one at a time. Feel the strength of your core to maintain your balance. Lower your legs one at a time to come out.
If you have access to a grassy lawn or sandy beach, this is one of the best places to start learning how to handstand. Knowing that you have a soft place to land makes it much easier to play around and practice going upside down. Once you know how to use your core, you can try the real thing without having to worry about what’ll happen should you fall.
The post Tips For Learning How To Do Handstands appeared first on yourdailysportfix.com.
]]>The post Benefits of Practicing Handstands appeared first on yourdailysportfix.com.
]]>Being able to not only lift your legs into the air, but then hold them still and balanced takes some serious core strength. As you practice (even if it’s against a wall at first), your core strength and therefore, your balance, will improve!
There are very few muscle groups (if any) that handstands don’t strengthen, but it sure does focus on the upper body. Your shoulders, arms, and upper back will all gain strength. If you are a beginner, it’s important to work these muscle groups so that you can actually hold a handstand for more than a few seconds.
If you’re ever in a bad mood, practicing your handstands for even a few seconds is sure to boost your mood. You might even finish with a smile on your face! The rush of blood flow to your brain will energize and calm you all at the same time.
The post Benefits of Practicing Handstands appeared first on yourdailysportfix.com.
]]>The post Turn Your Yoga Practice Upside Down With These Inverted Poses appeared first on yourdailysportfix.com.
]]>Dolphin Pose is similar to Downward-Facing Dog and is an effective way to strengthen your shoulders if you’re looking to eventually balance in a forearm stand. Start in a Downward Dog position, then slowly lower your forearms to the mat while keeping your elbows directly under your shoulders. Press your palms into the floor, forming a triangle with your forearms. Continue to lift your hips upward, holding for 5-10 breaths before releasing into a Child’s Pose.
If you’re looking for something a bit more restorative, Legs Up the Wall can help to improve circulation and promote a sense of calm without challenging your muscles or sense of balance. On your bed, the floor, or any comfortable surface, lie on your back with your hips close to a wall. Extend your legs upward, resting them against the wall with your knees slightly bent. Hold for 5 minutes, breathing deeply into your belly.
Supported Shoulder Stand is similar to handstand in that it positions the body almost completely upside down, but requires significantly less skill to perform. In addition to encouraging lymphatic drainage, the gentle pressure this posture exerts on the throat is a great way to stimulate the thyroid. To perform Supported Shoulder Stand, place a folded blanket under your shoulders and lie on your back. Lift your legs and hips upward, placing your hands on your lower back or your hips against a chair for support.
The post Turn Your Yoga Practice Upside Down With These Inverted Poses appeared first on yourdailysportfix.com.
]]>The post How to Protect Your Wrists When Practicing Handstands appeared first on yourdailysportfix.com.
]]>Just as you would warm up the rest of your body before a workout, your wrists need love too! You can start with some simple stretches and movements to prepare them for the rest of your workout.
Most people don’t naturally have the strength in their wrists to hold their full bodyweight for long (or at all), so it’s a good idea to work on your wrist strength before beginning your handstands. There are various exercises you can do to build this strength including barbell wrist curls and yoga poses like downward dog and pike.
If you’re able to buy paralettes, these mini parallel bars are great for changing the angle of your wrist during handstands. It eases some of the stress put on the wrist because your hands aren’t kept at a right angle against the ground. Instead, you can naturally grip the bars and say goodbye to wrist pain!
The post How to Protect Your Wrists When Practicing Handstands appeared first on yourdailysportfix.com.
]]>The post Tips For Learning How To Do Handstands appeared first on yourdailysportfix.com.
]]>It’s important to recognize when your core muscles are properly engaged, and it can be a bit easier to feel this a bit closer to the ground. Begin on your yoga mat on your hands and knees, lower down to your elbows and bring your hands together so that your fingers are interlaced. Lower your head to the mat between your hands and lift your hips up. Walk your feet forward so that your hips are in a downward-facing dog position, then slowly lift your legs up one at a time. Feel the strength of your core to maintain your balance. Lower your legs one at a time to come out.
If you have access to a grassy lawn or sandy beach, this is one of the best places to start learning how to handstand. Knowing that you have a soft place to land makes it much easier to play around and practice going upside down. Once you know how to use your core, you can try the real thing without having to worry about what’ll happen should you fall.
The post Tips For Learning How To Do Handstands appeared first on yourdailysportfix.com.
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