I love inversions. I love the challenge of trying to stay balanced. I love how strong my upper body feels while I'm in it, and I love how energized I feel getting fresh blood circulating to my brain.

Headstands [0], forearm stands, and handstands [0] are all kinds of balancing inversions.
Headstands are the easiest inversion since your head and your forearms are planted on the ground. Handstands are the hardest (I think), because only your hands are holding your body up.

So that leaves forearm stands right in the middle with a moderate level of difficulty. You may find them easier than handstands, since both your forearms are helping you to stay balanced. Plus, you are lower to the ground, so you may find this easier to get into - it's less scary. This pose has a lot to do with shoulder and upper back strength, but it's also about engaging your core muscles.

Sanskrit Name: Pincha Mayurasana English Translation: Feathered Peacock Pose Also Called: Forearm Stand

Want some tips for getting into it? Then

• If you are new to this pose, bring your mat up to a stable wall. Drop onto your hands and knees with your fingers about 3 feet or so away from the wall.



• In order to measure how far apart your arms need to be, grab a hold of opposite elbows with your hands (so your forearms are parallel with the front of your mat). Now straighten your arms out creating a straight line between both elbows, forearms, and middle fingers. Try to keep your arms parallel, and don't let your elbows slide out to the sides (or you'll end up doing a face plant).
• Walk your feet as close as you can towards your head and gaze between your hands - NOT at your feet.
• Now lift your right leg straight up. Stay here or work on taking little hops. Do this by bending your left knee slightly, and popping off the ball of your left foot. Keep your right leg lifted and work on holding your legs in split position (like the picture to the right). If you are near a wall, make sure you are close enough to touch it with just your toes.
• Once you've found your balance, you can work on bringing your legs together straight up towards the ceiling. Tucking your tailbone and your ribs in will help you stay balanced.
• Don't forget to try kicking up with the left leg too.
• After you've had enough of forearm stand, come down into Child's pose [0] and rest.

Keep practicing and I know you'll soon have that "aha" moment where you finally feel yourself staying balanced. It's a feeling like no other.