I'm always amazed at the way the experience of a yoga pose changes over time. While it can take years to make peace with certain asanas, sometimes we come to class and unexpectedly find that our perspective has shifted.

Yesterday in class, we worked on headstand...and I, without freaking out, without a partner to spot me, simply placed my hands on my shoulders, elbows to the floor, head cradled into the palms, pushed up onto the toes, walked the hips over the shoulders, brought the feet off the ground...

In short, I did the handstand, no wall, no overreacting, no being distracted by the other yogis around me.

I felt blissfully present, aware, and calm as I experienced the inversion in its fullness.

In case this doesn't sound like a big deal, let me tell you: this is way different than how I used to feel about the pose. It used to be that in the moments leading up to trying headstand, I'd get all nervous and stressed out. My mind would light up with activity and worry. I'd lose my focus.

Last night, though, finding the pose felt like a natural part of the flow in class. I simply listened to the teacher's words, stayed present in my meditation, and found my toes floating toward the ceiling. And then I breathed and stayed in it, and felt so relieved and at peace. Even when I fell out, I persisted; instead of getting discouraged, I enjoyed the process, the practice.

Turns out, being upside down was right where I was supposed to be.

Afterward, I was overwhelmed with a sense of gratitude... for the way my amazing teachers have taught me to be patience in the practice and to let go of fear. For the beautiful studios where I've felt at home (shoutout to Dharma Yoga Evanston and East Wind Roseville!)

Thank you, yoga. Thank you, teachers. Thank you, fellow yogis. Thank you, studios who make a difference!

10 Ways I Got Stronger and More Confident for Headstand

Headstand (Sirsasana) wasn’t always easy for me. It took time, practice, and plenty of patience to build the strength and confidence to go upside down. Here are 10 things that helped me on my journey:

1. Practiced Forearm Plank

Building a strong core was key. Holding Forearm Plank regularly strengthened my shoulders, arms, and core, creating the stability I needed for headstand.

2. Worked on Dolphin Pose

Dolphin Pose became my go-to prep pose. It mimics the foundation of headstand while building strength in my shoulders and upper back.

3. Focused on Core Engagement

I added Boat Pose (Navasana) and Leg Lifts to my routine, helping me develop the deep core strength needed to lift my legs with control.

4. Practiced at the Wall

The wall was my training buddy. It gave me the confidence to experiment with balance while preventing falls.

5. Learned to Fall

Understanding how to tuck and roll when I lost my balance took the fear out of falling. Once I wasn’t afraid to fall, I became more willing to try.

6. Built Shoulder Strength

I incorporated exercises like Shoulder Taps and Push-Ups to ensure my shoulders could support my weight in the pose.

7. Focused on Alignment

I worked with a teacher to refine my alignment. Proper hand and forearm placement made the pose feel more stable and safe.

8. Practiced Controlled Leg Lifts

Instead of kicking up, I practiced lifting one leg at a time, focusing on slow and steady movement to improve my control.

9. Used My Breath

Deep, steady breathing kept me calm and focused while holding the pose, helping me stay balanced and grounded.

10. Practiced Patience

Perhaps the most important lesson: I gave myself time. Strength and confidence didn’t happen overnight, but consistent effort made it all possible.

The Result

Through these practices, headstand went from intimidating to empowering. It’s now a pose I approach with joy, curiosity, and gratitude for the process. If I can do it, so can you—one step at a time. 😊✨

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