Intro: Headstand. There are a few ways to get into handstand, but they all end up in you balancing on your head with the assistance of your hands. The most common form of handstand (which I will describe here) with your hands interlaced behind the crown of your head with your forearms providing support on the floor. Your body stacks from the head up so that you have a straight spine, an engaged core, strong legs, and toes pointed toward the ceiling are flexed back towards you. The key to headstand is properly stacking. You need the proper amount of core strength and upper back flexibility in order to do headstand.
Technique: To get into headstand, interlace your fingers, spread your arms about shoulder-width distance apart, and then press your forearms to the ground. Next, place the crown of your head in your interlaced hands, press the balls of your feet into the ground, inch your feet toward your head, and reach your hips up and back as if you were in downward facing dog. Reach one leg up toward the ceiling, making sure that your hips are squared. Bend into the leg on the ground, and then kick up to bring your feet over your head. Once your feet are above your head, concentrate on removing the arch from your back and tilting the pelvis down to properly engage your core. Point your toes upward or flex your toes toward your body.
Tips: You want to walk your feet as close to your forearms as possible WHILE REMAINING COMFORTABLE. If you walk your feet too close to your forearms and start shaking from the effort, if will be very difficult to reach your legs up into headstand.
When your muscles are engaged, your body doesn’t wiggle as much. Squeeze your core and your legs tight in the posture to increase stability.
