Headstand

Do you have a minipanic attack when your yoga instructor says it's time to work on headstands? Whether you've tried inversions a hundred times and can't stay balanced for more than half a second, or are too intimidated to even try, here are five reasons headstands aren't happening for you and how to get started hanging upside down.

1. You're scared of falling: This is a very real fear and a valid reason for not even attempting headstand, but how will you know whether or not you can balance upside down if you never give it a chance? There are many ways you can do a headstand and avoid the risk of falling. Try one of these: do headstand in front of a wall, have someone spot you, slowly lift into headstand instead of kicking up, or start with a Bound Headstand Prep where your feet never leave the ground (it's still a headstand if you're balancing on your head!).
2. You don't have a solid base: Whether you're doing Bound Headstand (shown in the photo above) or Tripod Headstand with your palms on the ground, your base needs to be strong and stable in order to support the weight of the rest of your body. In Bound Headstand, make sure the heels of your palms are pressed against the back of your head, and your elbows are a few inches away from your ears. In Tripod Headstand, keep your elbows at 90-degree angles. A strong base is the first step in building up to headstand.

Keep on reading to find out what else is preventing you from doing a headstand.

You've been practicing yoga for a while, and have mastered balancing in a basic headstand. Not only is it a great trick to whip out at parties to impress your friends, but holding this pose is an extremely effective way to strengthen your core and upper body and circulate your blood. Doing a headstand the same way every time you practice yoga is a little boring though, so have a little fun with it the next time you go upside down.

To find out how read more

Having survived the simple choreography and sequined costumes of my high school swing choir, I have tuned into Glee since the beginning. As a self-professed Gleek, I must tell you my choir teacher had nothing on Mr. Schuester, aka Matthew Morrison.

Aside from our respective swing choir pasts, Matthew and I actually have a lot in common that might not be so apparent on the surface. One: we both like to run. He told Parade magazine that he likes to log five miles before heading to the set for a day of shooting. Two: he likes to turn things upside down. The actor explains his end-of-work ritual like this: ". . . after the day is done, before I leave my trailer, I do a headstand. It kind of gets all the blood in my head and it kind of lets me forget about everything, like 'All right, we're starting fresh, let's go.'" I love the oddly calming sensation of holding a headstand, too. See — so much in common!

Well, I guess you all know where to find me next Tuesday night.

Hi Fit,
I have been practicing yoga on my own for years, and I love it all . . . sun salutations, backbends, forward bends, you name it . . . except for the inverted poses. Despite my best efforts, I have never been able to get into them! Can you recommend any exercises to strengthen my upper body so that I will be able to do them, or do you have any other tips to help me take my practice to the next level? Should I have someone help me? Any advice you can offer will be much appreciated!
Thanks,
secrethoughts

In my yoga classes, inversions are the poses most people have problems with, so you're not alone. They require balance, strength, and most of all the guts to be upside down. I believe it's possible for all healthy people to do them, so to hear my tips on how to get yourself there, read more