Week 4 Alignment Series: Inversions

𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝗧𝘂𝗿𝗻 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗨𝗽𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗗𝗼𝘄𝗻

I think the biggest challenge as a teacher in teaching inversion, is not about how to get people into handstands or headstands from a technical perspective, but to help students mentally overcome the fear and discomfort of going upside down. 🤗

There are compelling reasons to include inversions in our practice and our teaching. And I think many of us would agree, including myself, that inversions are a transformative experience.

I am hoping you will come up with a few good reasons of your own, but here are some to get you started. 👇

Physically, Inversions

👉 help balance the nervous system

👉 Facilitate circulation in the upper extremities

👉 Challenge our brain and build kinaesthetic awareness

Mentally, Inversions

⭐ are empowering and allow us to overcome fear and mental discomfort

⭐ trains our proprioception as we move our body into an unfamiliar plane

Handstand, forward balance, and headstand strengthen, align and open our upper body and stimulates energy, while shoulderstand, plow and viparita karani invoke relaxation, rejuvenation, and a calming effect on the mind and body.

Inversion poses include

📌 Adho Mukha Vrksasana (Handstand)

📌 Pincha Mayurasana (Forearm Balance)

📌 Salamba Sirsasana (Supported Headstand)

📌 Salamba Sarvangasana (Supported Shoulderstand)

📌 Viparita Karani (Leg up the wall)

In Alignment 1, we will work on the preparations of these poses. We also learn the alternatives poses to practice when students might not go upside down on any given day.

We include inversions in almost all Alignment 2 classes, studying and breaking down all these poses and also practicing variations in these poses.

In the end, it’s not about the pose or the shape. But knowing that we can do things, and do things better. 👌

See you on the other side. 😊