Hi everyone,
One of my yoga goals this year is to practice more consistently - and to have more intention in my poses. Also, I’ve always wanted to do inversions, but I think I need more core strength.
Does anyone know an exercise that helps people prep to do headstands?
Much thanks!
GC
Hi, there!
He, he, he – I just read IA’s posting about folks worrying more than needed about the strength you need to get into a pose and not giving due attention to the other physical elements that actually make it safe to do the pose. Great timing, from here.
Whether or not these eventually get you to headstands, I found awakening in my core muscles from down dog, chaturanga dandasana, navasana, warrior III, and half moon pose. Being mindful of my hip position in trikonasana also taught me lessons that come in handy when I go upside down. 'Course, I may have different strengths and lacks than you do.
What is your current practice? Anything strike you in your last class as being particularly helpful?
Different inversions “require” different body musculo-skeletal synergies. Since you don’t mention the particular inversions of interest I’m short-sheeted
I will say that the term “core” is not synonymous with the term abdominals. So care has to be used to determine what definition
Likewise there is a difference between entering a pose and being in it.
Take Sirsasana for example. Depending on who you are listening to there may be great demand on “core” muscles. Frankly that word to me is a four letter word and I avoid it like the plague whenever possible.
Being in the pose however requires a certain alignment and balance that does not mandate abdominal intensity.
If we shift the focus to Sarvangasana, again the entry does demand some abdominal muscle enlistment but being in the pose actually mandates softening the contents of the abdominal cavity.
But I don’t prescribe exercises as preps. We do preparatory things for each of the inversions we’re heading toward depending on their requisite actions and openings.