Handstand Fear

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#1

I have fear surrounding handstands that I need some help overcoming. I am very comfortable in headstand, forearm headstand, and tripod headstand, but I have a mental fear of jumping into handstand. My elbows are extremely over-extended, and I believe this to be one of the roots of my fear, the other root, I have been afraid of cartwheels since I was a little girl- something about them has always been really scary to me. :slight_smile: I am just looking to kick up against a wall right now to get a feel for it. When I kick up, I get one leg to lightly touch the wall, but the other leg refuses to go for the ride.

Any tips on how to get the other leg to touch the wall? Right now, 2nd leg is hopping up in a bent position. My shoulder are drawing back and down, my core is strong, I can do handstand prep with legs on wall and hands on floor for quite a while, with variations of extending legs straight up… so I know that physically I am capable. It’s this damn mental block! Whenever a teacher puts me into handstand, it feels great. I can hold it away from the wall, very easily with lower front ribs in, legs engaged, etc. It’s just how to get into it that freaks me out.

Any tips on overcoming the mental hurdle of jumping into a handstand against a wall? Thanks!

#2

Another option: get into downward dog pose with your heels at the wall and your head away from the wall. Then walk up the wall with your feet. Then walk your hands to the wall. This way of getting into the pose avoids the necessity of “jumping” up with your leg(s). Much safer.

Please talk to your teacher (or Inner Athlete) about doing handstand with overextended elbows. It doesn’t really sound appealing to me.

#3

Oooh! Thanks Willem! This is a good option. I never even thought of that, though I do practice the first part from downdog, then walking legs up the wall to bring my body to a 90 degree angle and hold. I will keep going and tip toe into your version tomorrow!

For my body, I believe handstand with over extended elbows is ok. I have been practicing for a while now and know how to keep a slight bend at my elbow at all times and turn them in slightly so they do not over extend. I have also stayed up in a handstand once put there by a teacher several times, and my arms and shoulders feel stable, and I have no issue doing arm balances and straightening my arms (like bakasana). I think your idea would help me because it seems much more controlled, and part of my mental blockage is the grey area between floor and wall and how to get there. Thanks!!

#4

Have your teacher take you up.

If you’ve not learned to keep the humerus in joint using the action of the serratus anterior then it’s best not to be doing much weight-bearing on the upper extremities if you value shoulder integrity over time.

#5

I use a mantra for Scorpion handstand

My Scorpion

I hold Scorpion pose everyday
She challenges me in life
To tune is some times difficult
No excuse, it must be right!
Feel the pain and burn
Her passion and her sting
She is my heart of balance
Pure strength and energy!

Love your Scorpion!

#6

UssimI: I love it! I will try this out. I need to create my own mantra to give me the courage to kick myself up!

InnerAthlete: Thanks for the advice. I have learned to keep the humerus in joint by the action of the serratus anterior- like I said, the upper body is stable, it’s getting that second leg up that’s baffling me. I have a bit of fear- partially because of my crazy over extended arms which I am very conscious of, and partially because I’m just scared- I’ve never been a cartwheel person, I have a fear of swinging my legs over my body! I am ok with all other inversions- because I take a more controlled route to get into them. I once asked one of my main teachers to explain, broken down, how to kick up, and she said, “I don’t know… you just kick!” This leads me to believe that to some people this action is quite natural and obvious, to others (the scared of cartwheels people) it’s a bit abstract.

I have been taken up into handstand several times over the past few years by teachers. I am totally fine once I am in a handstand. My problem is how to kick up by myself- overcoming the fear. Really broken down verbal cues to kicking the legs up would be very helpful. Thanks!

#7

Use the wall and when coming up come up (initially) with more effort than you would if you were doing the pose in the middle of the room. In other words, over kick when coming up. For the first few months your heels will bang on the walls. Then you’ll begin coming up more lightly having already dealt with the fear.

Of course moving into the middle of the room will be different - different methods, different effort, different fears… but cross that bridge when you get to it.

#8

I think its perfectly normal to have a fear at the headstand!!! That’s what is great about this pose…once you see how easy it really is…you’ll wonder why it took you so long in the first place. I know I was that person!!! Keep it positive and keep thinking you’ll get it!!! Good luck and use any means to help you get into the pose…but remember to try it on your own as well!!!

#9

Take off your shoes and lean forward until you are about to fall over. See what your toes did? Your fingers are your toes when standing on your hands. Watch any good handstand practitioner (youtube away). Their fingers are going crazy. Get your fingers strong enough and you never have to fear going over.

#10

Cool! Thanks guys!

Inner Athlete- yes, I will try with more force initially. I recall when I started doing headstands going against the wall and totally plunking heavily onto the wall, and now I love headstands- sans wall. Right now my one leg that does touch the wall in handstands, does so very lightly. I need the force. haha… Middle of the room- I’ll cross that bridge when I get to it. :slight_smile:

AlohaNeen- Thanks for all the positive support! xo

David- Yes,the fingers are going crazy in handstand- one of my teachers always brings this up. My issue is more fear related- I think these fingers of mine can manage! Thank you for your comment!