Arm balances help to focus the attention on the task at hand (it’s not easy to think of your to-do list when you’re standing on your hands…), and build physical and mental strength and stability. When adding an inversion into the mix, you exercise not only your body but also your literal and figurative perspective.
In this sequence, consider the connection to the ground underneath you - whether you are pressing through the hands, feet, shins or forearms. For example, cultivate a sense of evenness in the hands (especially between pointer finger and thumb) and shins during cow/cat, or in the hands and feet for downward facing dog.
Resist the floor by pressing into it and lifting up away from it, firming the muscles around the elbows and knees to help create length in the spine.
When balancing or upside down, lift up and away from the floor - at YogaWorks they call it root and rebound. A steadiness in the limbs ultimately creates a sense of lightness in the body as you balance - as long as you remember to breathe (always).
Most importantly - enjoy the process and thank yourselves just for showing up.
Videography: Grant Henry Media
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