When you are ready to level up your practice, do my FULL-LENGTH classes to build strength, balance and flexibility to change your whole yoga game! www.union.fit/orgs/yogathletica/videos
glad you enjoy the videos! if you are having trouble reaching the wall with your top leg, there are two things you can do: (1) stretch those hamstrings! the more open your hamstrings, the more of a split, the less you have to kick to hit the wall. and (2) kick harder. this will help you at the wall, but will hinder you in the middle of the room. so eventually...see (1). :) thanks for the note! hope that helps!
I really enjoy your videos. Your "L" method makes so much sense and forces you to build/engage core strength to find balance as opposed to just kicking your feet up the wall.
Thank you! I've been struggle, struggle, struggling with the darn handstand. This is a fantastic exercise, and you really explain the opposing forces in the "L" intelligently. Can't wait to try this. Makes a TON of sense.
thanks, erin! once you get this down (or even at the same time as working on this), here's where to go next: yoga handstand in the middle of the room instruction - shana meyerson yogathletica happy handstanding!
Thanks so much for your videos! I've been playing around in the gym with hand stands against the walls and trying it slowly on the mat. I'm just at the point where I have to tilt the balance and trust my arms and core. Your video has really helped a lot!
Love ur videoes! I'm trying to learn the handstand, but my leg which kick up is not as higher or close to being vertical, because of which I'm not reaching the wall, can u tell me what can I do to help me kick up to the wall?? Thx Shana!!
it's great to practice in front of a bed until you are comfortable in the middle of the room. that way it doesn't hurt to fall! when you come to the middle of the room, you need to kick up more gently, so you don't flip. better (in the middle of the room) not to get up than to flip over. play with seeing what the lightest possible jump is that will get you into a handstand. jump so lightly that maybe at first it's only an inch. then two. then eventually, you are up!
Lovely Shana Meyerson, it is so great to finally not only to strengh the core but how to used it !!! Of course it is a long process to be able to stay on handstand, but now I know how to realize it !!! I have a question, when you keep one leg on the wall, keep you your butt and back on the on the wall ? Thanks on fowards and a big greetings from a brasilien fan who live in Berlin :)
hi eli, thanks so much for your note. good question! when you are doing the one-leg thing, butt and back are definitely NOT on the wall. only the heel of the top foot is on the wall. if your butt and back are on, then it puts you into a backbend that will actually inhibit the movement of the leg in the hip socket as well as the core engagement. by the way, be sure to check out my secret to all of yoga video (YOGA: the secret to all of yoga - shana meyerson :D yogathletica) for the most practical core engagement trick in all of yoga. also, i'll be teaching in milan next month, if you want personal, hands on attention and tips. :) yogathletica.com/handstand-arm-balance-weekend-milan-italy-october-24-26-2014/ would love to see you there! :)
Ohhh my gosh it's great you reply my question, I really didnt expected, thank you so much you take time to do it :D Until now I tried not to lean my butt on the wall, it's harder but maybe better to try to controll my pelvis and core or ? Namaste
yes! you definitely want to control the pose by engaging and controlling your core energy! and try to keep your hips above your shoulders as much as possible, to make balance even more accessible. :)
And to keep my hips above my shouders as much as possible is also very hard for me, because I always have the feeling that I will fall over ! Thank you very much that ist a great help and I'll keeping practice and will have a lot of pacient with me and my body! Namaste :D
This looks great for someone who has your flexibility. I can't open my legs much beyond 45 degrees. Any suggestions for those of us who have more strength than flexibility?
h2olog yes! Hamstrings! Hamstrings! Hamstrings! I have a Legs playlist at ua-cam.com/video/uWRI6PALbAc/v-deo.html The Hanumanasana and Paschimottanasana videos will help the most. Hamstrings opening really requires daily work. I also have a Vimeo channel of full-length classes that is even more effective at opening because it warms you up and gets you prepared for the deep stretches. The channel is at vimeo.com/ondemand/yogathletica I particularly recommend #35 (Deeeeep Streeeetch), #6 (Stretchy Yoga Flow), and #14 (Splitsville), but just about any video on the channel will also help with those parts. 💗
good question! just the foot is on the wall...not the hips. the hips will lean you too far back, enter into the lumbar backbend, and defeat the purpose of the exercise. :)
Thanks So much for the respond , well the idea of a video response isn't probably the best because I'm SOOO camera shy , however the good news is I've tried some of the tips of all your videos about handstands and I was capable to hold it for about 7-10 sec :D , but I can't do it from a down dog I have to start standing and then go onto a down dog will kicking up ( not the gymnastic type, I take it very slowly, to find my control . Yes I do kick too hard and I'm too scared , because my one and only attempt didn't go so well XD Last question I promise XD Should I keep my feet all the time flexed ? Or should I point them once I balance? Is it normal to feel it's a bit hard to flex the feet at the top while trying to balance by straightening the body? THANK YOU SO MUCH :D You're the reason I Started yoga :D
i am so flattered that i inspired you to start yoga! wow! in the middle of the room, you do not have to flex your feet the whole time...do whatever is comfortable. at the wall, i recommend flexed feet to encourage spinal extension, but points tend to work better mid-room. 7-10 seconds becomes 15-20 seconds...then 30-40...then a minute or two! :) you may want to check out my brand new video (yoga handstand kick-ups to the wall - shana meyerson YOGAthletica) for some tips on kicking up from down dog... :)
it's hard to figure things out when you are upside down! this is very normal! if you check out my "secret to all of yoga" video, it will teach you how to engage your core from standing, horizontal, and upside down. by repeating the same action in a lot of different positions, it helps to teach the body muscle memory to get into that space more easily. :)
GREAT VIDEO! :D I have a question , I've been trying to do a handstand for about 2 months now , however I know I have the arm and core because I do Pilates as well as yoga , but I just can balance it for more than 3 sec , to be honest I use the gymnastics entry , I'm still gonna try the down dog method , but the thing is I tried so many techniques and it can stand for an hour on the wall , but I just can't balance without it , what am I missing?
hi sara, feel free to post a video response here and i'll look at it and tell you what's missing from your kick up. usually, if you're totally comfortable on the wall, but unable to do it in the center of the room, it usually comes down to one of three things: (1) fear of being off the wall, (2) kicking too hard as if there were a wall there...when there isn't..., or (3) rushing the second leg instead of making certain you have balance at every moment in all transitions. patience, patience, patience is key...
you have to really shift your focus to your legs and send them the message to straighten. it's like performing triage...if you know you have a challenging catching point, focus directly on that issue for a while until it's no longer an issue. pull the foot actively from the heel to straighten it. and always think about stretching up to the ceiling, rather than back to the wall...
I already watched it like 5 times to absorb all informations XD I hope I would reach 15 sec that would be so cool :D Do you have an email I could send you updates or any questions please? If not then expect to see me a lot in the comment sections XD THANK YOU AGAIN :D
When you are ready to level up your practice, do my FULL-LENGTH classes to build strength, balance and flexibility to change your whole yoga game! www.union.fit/orgs/yogathletica/videos
everything u say make so much sense, is like a light bulb lit up in my head, ♥
keep that bulb on! it will light the path for a long time! glad it all makes sense! :)
The way you teach is wonderful and working for me. Thank you so much!!!
Haesoo Masson so glad to hear that! Thanks! 🙏
glad you enjoy the videos! if you are having trouble reaching the wall with your top leg, there are two things you can do: (1) stretch those hamstrings! the more open your hamstrings, the more of a split, the less you have to kick to hit the wall. and (2) kick harder. this will help you at the wall, but will hinder you in the middle of the room. so eventually...see (1). :)
thanks for the note! hope that helps!
I really enjoy your videos. Your "L" method makes so much sense and forces you to build/engage core strength to find balance as opposed to just kicking your feet up the wall.
Kayla Barker so glad the tips help you! Thanks for your note! It made me smile! 💗
Thank you! I've been struggle, struggle, struggling with the darn handstand. This is a fantastic exercise, and you really explain the opposing forces in the "L" intelligently. Can't wait to try this. Makes a TON of sense.
thanks, erin! once you get this down (or even at the same time as working on this), here's where to go next: yoga handstand in the middle of the room instruction - shana meyerson yogathletica
happy handstanding!
Ml
Wow! Shana thank you for tips! Yestarday I've got to make a headstand the center of the room. Aaaaa! It's awesome! Thank you so much
that is so awesome to hear!!! you rock!
love your power and passion!! very motivating !
thank you so much! :D
I love you!! you are so full of energy and encouraging... and your cueing is methodical and helpful! Thanks, Shana!
Hey Shana, its Shawna! This video rocked! Love it so much. Thank you! Taking it to the people this week in my classes. Namaste.
Resist the gravity ! so true ! 😊
that's what it's all about! ❤️❤️❤️
Thank you for teaching us!!! So thankful I found your channel, you have helped me so much :]
you are very right bout the core strength utilisation. I know I have it but its hard to use it when its upside down. I still struggle alot with that
Thanks so much for your videos! I've been playing around in the gym with hand stands against the walls and trying it slowly on the mat. I'm just at the point where I have to tilt the balance and trust my arms and core. Your video has really helped a lot!
thanks, louisa! and when you are ready to come off the wall, i have a lot of videos to get you there...and beyond! :)
I just discovered your videos and they are great! You explain things so clearly and have great tips. THANK YOU from Germany!
so nice to hear! thank you for your sweet note! :)
so so helpful!
I love your videos. Thank you for sharing your wonderful yoga tips :)
You look great with a bun! :)
+Karolina Zakonek thanks! i usually wear braids to keep my hair low maintenance and out of my way...but i wear a bun when i'm just too lazy! ;)
Love ur videoes! I'm trying to learn the handstand, but my leg which kick up is not as higher or close to being vertical, because of which I'm not reaching the wall, can u tell me what can I do to help me kick up to the wall?? Thx Shana!!
thank you so much, claire! enjoy the videos!
Thank you for your videos =) They're tremendously helpful! And your happy face assures me that I can do it too!...eventually, haha!
Thank you :D
it's great to practice in front of a bed until you are comfortable in the middle of the room. that way it doesn't hurt to fall!
when you come to the middle of the room, you need to kick up more gently, so you don't flip. better (in the middle of the room) not to get up than to flip over.
play with seeing what the lightest possible jump is that will get you into a handstand. jump so lightly that maybe at first it's only an inch. then two. then eventually, you are up!
thanks!
you are indeed, handstand teaching master:)
Lovely Shana Meyerson, it is so great to finally not only to strengh the core but how to used it !!! Of course it is a long process to be able to stay on handstand, but now I know how to realize it !!! I have a question, when you keep one leg on the wall, keep you your butt and back on the on the wall ? Thanks on fowards and a big greetings from a brasilien fan who live in Berlin :)
hi eli,
thanks so much for your note.
good question!
when you are doing the one-leg thing, butt and back are definitely NOT on the wall. only the heel of the top foot is on the wall.
if your butt and back are on, then it puts you into a backbend that will actually inhibit the movement of the leg in the hip socket as well as the core engagement.
by the way, be sure to check out my secret to all of yoga video (YOGA: the secret to all of yoga - shana meyerson :D yogathletica) for the most practical core engagement trick in all of yoga.
also, i'll be teaching in milan next month, if you want personal, hands on attention and tips. :)
yogathletica.com/handstand-arm-balance-weekend-milan-italy-october-24-26-2014/
would love to see you there! :)
Ohhh my gosh it's great you reply my question, I really didnt expected, thank you so much you take time to do it :D
Until now I tried not to lean my butt on the wall, it's harder but maybe better to try to controll my pelvis and core or ? Namaste
yes! you definitely want to control the pose by engaging and controlling your core energy! and try to keep your hips above your shoulders as much as possible, to make balance even more accessible. :)
And to keep my hips above my shouders as much as possible is also very hard for me, because I always have the feeling that I will fall over ! Thank you very much that ist a great help and I'll keeping practice and will have a lot of pacient with me and my body! Namaste :D
even as you are coming down, think about your body trying to stay up...it will slow down the descent and prevent falling. :)
thank you so much! and you can do it, too! :D
can you use the same exercises for headstands?
sure! and they are a lot easier for headstand!
This looks great for someone who has your flexibility. I can't open my legs much beyond 45 degrees. Any suggestions for those of us who have more strength than flexibility?
h2olog yes! Hamstrings! Hamstrings! Hamstrings! I have a Legs playlist at ua-cam.com/video/uWRI6PALbAc/v-deo.html
The Hanumanasana and Paschimottanasana videos will help the most. Hamstrings opening really requires daily work.
I also have a Vimeo channel of full-length classes that is even more effective at opening because it warms you up and gets you prepared for the deep stretches.
The channel is at vimeo.com/ondemand/yogathletica
I particularly recommend #35 (Deeeeep Streeeetch), #6 (Stretchy Yoga Flow), and #14 (Splitsville), but just about any video on the channel will also help with those parts. 💗
So I need to practice my splits as well?
yessss! splits are the biggest game changer for handstands! here's help: ua-cam.com/video/uWRI6PALbAc/v-deo.html
You are good flying girl 👧 👍😊🙏🎄excellent performance thanks 🙏
thank you, Sarojini! ❤️
Shana, are you also pushing your hips onto the wall or just the feet as you drop the one leg down?
Josephineso2003 great question. :) just the foot. With the hips you would basically fall into the wall and take the work out of the drill.
oh my god! thank you!!!!
Do you have your hips on the wall too? I have tried both ways.
good question! just the foot is on the wall...not the hips. the hips will lean you too far back, enter into the lumbar backbend, and defeat the purpose of the exercise. :)
The foot/toe wiggles kill me! Heheh :)
Mark Camire 🤣
Thanks So much for the respond , well the idea of a video response isn't probably the best because I'm SOOO camera shy , however the good news is I've tried some of the tips of all your videos about handstands and I was capable to hold it for about 7-10 sec :D , but I can't do it from a down dog I have to start standing and then go onto a down dog will kicking up ( not the gymnastic type, I take it very slowly, to find my control . Yes I do kick too hard and I'm too scared , because my one and only attempt didn't go so well XD Last question I promise XD Should I keep my feet all the time flexed ? Or should I point them once I balance? Is it normal to feel it's a bit hard to flex the feet at the top while trying to balance by straightening the body? THANK YOU SO MUCH :D You're the reason I Started yoga :D
i am so flattered that i inspired you to start yoga! wow!
in the middle of the room, you do not have to flex your feet the whole time...do whatever is comfortable. at the wall, i recommend flexed feet to encourage spinal extension, but points tend to work better mid-room.
7-10 seconds becomes 15-20 seconds...then 30-40...then a minute or two! :)
you may want to check out my brand new video (yoga handstand kick-ups to the wall - shana meyerson YOGAthletica) for some tips on kicking up from down dog... :)
Can go up but will fell when I touch the bed wall I use bed because I still learning
👍🤩
♥ Want to master handstands? Check out my Handstand Breakthrough Revolution program! www.YOGAthletica.com/HBR 🤸♀ Let's do this! 💥
it's hard to figure things out when you are upside down! this is very normal! if you check out my "secret to all of yoga" video, it will teach you how to engage your core from standing, horizontal, and upside down. by repeating the same action in a lot of different positions, it helps to teach the body muscle memory to get into that space more easily. :)
GREAT VIDEO! :D I have a question , I've been trying to do a handstand for about 2 months now , however I know I have the arm and core because I do Pilates as well as yoga , but I just can balance it for more than 3 sec , to be honest I use the gymnastics entry , I'm still gonna try the down dog method , but the thing is I tried so many techniques and it can stand for an hour on the wall , but I just can't balance without it , what am I missing?
hi sara, feel free to post a video response here and i'll look at it and tell you what's missing from your kick up. usually, if you're totally comfortable on the wall, but unable to do it in the center of the room, it usually comes down to one of three things: (1) fear of being off the wall, (2) kicking too hard as if there were a wall there...when there isn't..., or (3) rushing the second leg instead of making certain you have balance at every moment in all transitions. patience, patience, patience is key...
also, check out my "handstand in the middle of the room" video. it will really help! :)
how do I stop my legs from bending and keep it nice and straight ?? x
you have to really shift your focus to your legs and send them the message to straighten.
it's like performing triage...if you know you have a challenging catching point, focus directly on that issue for a while until it's no longer an issue.
pull the foot actively from the heel to straighten it. and always think about stretching up to the ceiling, rather than back to the wall...
You r my favorite 💙
thank you!!! ❤️❤️❤️
I already watched it like 5 times to absorb all informations XD I hope I would reach 15 sec that would be so cool :D Do you have an email I could send you updates or any questions please? If not then expect to see me a lot in the comment sections XD THANK YOU AGAIN :D
you can sign up for my email list and contact me through my website, www.yogathletica.com. :)
Its hard but I gave you a like and subscribe
hard to do the movements? or hard to give me the like and subscribe? :)
Hard to do the movements
they get easier with practice!
Information*
AM
❤💙💚💛💜👌👌👌👌👌
thank you!
Supper,my hands are not strong enough.
keep practicing...it comes in time!
meantime, this video is great place to start and build strength: ua-cam.com/video/eXCxpTHA3x8/v-deo.html
can you make a video of slime
Have you ever heard about breakdancing I think you could go pro
I like you :)
i wish! breakdancers put me to SHAME with the things they can do!
thanks!