Make your press up to headstand more challenging...

This newsletter is geared to those of you that are already pressing into headstand. Let's explore the deeper element of pressing that involves removing the counterbalance aspect and using shoulder and core strength to lift and lower the weight of the legs.

When lifting and lowering the legs into and out of headstand, letting the shoulders come forward (i.e. not pressing as much down through the forearms) and taking the hips and butt back beyond the shoulders is so helpful as it works as a "counterbalance" to the weight of the legs making it considerably easier to lift and lower them.

Over time as your practice progresses it is advisable to move away from counterbalancing and instead begin to require that your muscles do the necessary work of the press.

To press without the help of counterbalance, you must keep a more consistent press of the forearms and the shoulders never allowing the shoulders to collapse and be mindful of keeping the hips as stacked over the shoulders on the way up and the way down.

When you press from this more difficult position, with your shoulders resisting gravity powerfully and you will feel your incredible core strength come online. When I'm working on this, one thing that helps me, is that as I lower the legs I think about my toes strongly reaching out this helps me not drift my hips back without realizing it.

Below you'll find two videos so you can see the difference of what I've described above. Click on the photos to see the videos!