One of the reasons I'm a huge fan of Ashtanga Yoga is the many variations of headstand involved in the practice — seven to be exact. Palms Up Headstand is the sixth in the Ashtanga headstand series. I'm not going to lie to you; this one is pretty tough. As with all things though, practice makes perfect, so keep trying until you can stay balanced. If you have a sensitive head, you may want to Read more

Yoga is full of variety. One pose can offer many variations — even something as simple as standing on your head. I have introduced you all to the four variations of headstand found in Ashtanga Yoga. The first one is Bound Headstand, followed by Double Arm Headstand. The third is Forearm Headstand, and the fourth is Pinching Shoulders Headstand. We have three more to go, and the next one up is Read more

So we're finally up to the fourth headstand in Ashtanga Yoga. The first one is Bound Headstand, followed by Double Arm Headstand, and the third is Forearm Headstand. Sanskrit Name: Baddha Hasta Sirsasana D English Translation: Bound Hands Headstand Posture D Also Called: Pinching Shoulders Headstand To find out how to get into this pose read more Read more

Of all the balancing poses, headstands might just be my favorite. They're challenging and work the upper body as well as the abs, but I also love that there are so many variations of the pose. In Ashtanga Yoga, there are actually seven different headstands. The first one is Bound Headstand, followed by Double Arm Headstand, and here's the third, Forearm Headstand. Sanskrit Name: Baddha Read more

Are you ready for the latest YOGA CHALLENGE? Oh good. Since you've been practicing Bound Headstand, here's a variation for you to try called Double Arm Headstand. It just takes a little practice to distribute the weight evenly across your arms and head, but once you get it, you'll say "Oh, this is just like Bound Headstand!" Sanskrit Name: Baddha Hasta Sirsasana B English Translation: Read more

We've been doing a lot of grounding yoga poses like Warrior 1 and Pigeon that work on your leg strength and flexibility. Let's turn things around - literally - and talk about headstands. This is a fun inversion to practice, because you can work on your balance and build the strength in your upper body. I do this pose if I have a headache, stuffy nose, or if I'm feeling sad or tired. All the Read more

Hooray! We've finally made it to the seventh headstand in Ashtanga Yoga's Second Series. Of course, you've got to end with a bang, and this pose called Iron Cross Headstand is no joke. I think it's the most difficult of the seven headstands, so don't get frustrated if you have a hard time staying balanced. Keep practicing this one until you've conquered it. If you have a sensitive noggin, fold Read more