Fit: Hollow Back Handstand

Happy Tuesday, babes! I took yesterday off after a long weekend of yoga teacher training. When I started teaching yoga and managing at CorePower, I knew leading yoga teacher training would be part of my role, but I never envisioned how important that part of my job would become to me.

I had always wanted to be a teacher. Always. When I was younger, I had "teacher" versions of old textbooks and would set up my pretend classroom in our basement and teach my imaginary students. And of course, life happens and my path changed a little bit (I ended up majoring in journalism). I've always been happy with the major and path I chose, but there have certainly been days where I've thought about teaching again.

This is where life comes full-circle. I didn't end up teaching high school English like I'd envisioned, but here I am, teaching yoga and leading teacher training. Having the opportunity to find my passion for yoga and teach and share it with others has wholeheartedly filled my lifelong passion of wanting to teach others.

So, time to bring some of that to the blog, yes?

Hollow back handstand is one of my favorite inversions. I love that it's more accessible than other inversions due to the support of the wall, and that you experience a strong, energizing heart-opener in the process. It also helps open the front line and back line of your body, and just so happens to look kind-of cool in photos (obviously). 

Hollow Back Handstand (with wall support)

1.) Plant your hands shoulder width distance apart on the floor, roughly 1.5-2 feet away from the wall.

2.) Keep one foot on the ground, and kick up with your other foot until the back of your legs connect with the wall.

3.) Lower your hips further down the wall (in doing so, your chest and rib cage will broaden, and your back will bend).

4.) Press your chest forward, engage your core and pull your shoulders away from your ears. 

5.) Press your booty into the wall. Straighten your legs, squeeze your legs together and point your toes. 

6.) Breathe and enjoy.

|| Photo is property of Mountain Shadow Morning. Must give credit. ||