Handstand
Handstand is a joyful advanced pose. Build it gradually with wall drills.
- Level
- Advanced
- Hold
- 3–10 breaths
- Focus
- Advanced arm balance
- Steps
- 6 cues · ~1 min
- Push the floor away
Step by step
How to do Handstand
StartDownward Dog with hands about 10 cm from a wall.
- 1
Place hands shoulder-width, a hand's length from the wall.
- 2
Walk the feet in toward the hands.
- 3
Lift one leg up.
- 4
Hop lightly off the bottom foot to bring both legs to the wall.
- 5
Press the floor away and stack shoulders over wrists.
- 6
Engage the core.
- ↩
Coming out. Lower one leg at a time and rest in Child's Pose.
Breath
Steady breathing.
Focus
Advanced arm balance
Why practise it
Builds strength and confidence.
Alignment
Cues & common mistakes
Aim for Shoulders over wrists.
Teacher’s cues
- “Push the floor away”
Watch out for
Kicking up too hard.
Make it yours
Easier, harder, supported
L-shape at a wall.
- Free-standing handstand
- Wall
In a sequence
Where it fits in a flow
BeforeDownward-Facing Dog
BeforePlank Pose
This poseHandstand
AfterChild’s Pose
Good to know
Questions
How do I start learning?
L-shape at a wall: hands on the floor, feet on the wall at hip height.
A modern addition to yoga practice.
What helps
Props that make this easier
- Non-slip yoga mat A 4–6 mm mat with good grip makes standing poses steadier. View on Amazon
- Cork yoga block Brings the floor closer in forward folds and supported poses. View on Amazon
- Cotton yoga strap Extends your reach in hamstring and shoulder stretches. View on Amazon
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