It took me a long time to learn how to do Sirsasana (Headstand). I was scared, and I was weak in the core, and my teachers got me to learn by kicking up against a wall. For the record, you will never learn it that way with me, because although kicking up helps overcome the fear, it doesn’t teach you the control or strength you need to move into headstand safely. And don’t even get me started on the danger to your neck!
This isn’t a tutorial (but if you want one, let me know, and I’ll do one).
It’s a reflection on the courage it takes to work towards something you want to achieve, but find frightening.
I never had any trouble with Sarvangasana (Shoulderstand). It doesn’t require as much strength, balance, or courage. So I didn’t get much by way of…personal development, if you will…from it.
Headstand.
Different story.
Because I learned it against a wall, I had to relearn my technique to do Sirsasana in the middle of the room. I found that to overcome my fear of falling, I needed to learn to fall safely. My then husband, who had been a gymnast, taught me how to do that: only once I could fall, or fail, safely, did I feel confident to work on moving into a headstand with no support.
It’s gotten easier over the years. The fear has abated.
It’s a funny thing: headstand was so scary, and so impressive to me, until I could do it.
Now, not so much. It’s just something I can do.
Proof that it’s the working towards the goals that gives us the satisfaction, not necessarily actually reaching those goals.
Moral of the story?
Keep trying.
Be brave enough to turn your world on its head.
Because that trying is where you develop mental and physical strength (and balance).
It’s the trying that brings the impossible into the achievable, the ordinary, the everyday.
It’s the trying that makes you someone who can turn the world on its head, without fear.
Moving from Stability: Understanding the Pelvis in Posture (Online workshop)
Light Up Your Life
I, for one, would love a headstand tutorial. I do headstand against a wall, and I really can’t imagine doing it freestanding. Of course, before I could do it against a wall, I couldn’t imagine doing it at all.
Hey Bessie!
I love the way you put that – you couldn’t imagine it, now you can do it…
I just went on a workshop and learned some cool stuff which would apply to headstand – I will write a post about it this week. Thanks for stopping by
That, Kathryn, is a VERY pertinent point. Headstand may very well have contributed to that disc compression. There was actually a piece on that in Yoga Journal about a year ago…I think I need to write a follow up blog. Because although I one that I can do headstand, I only do it about once a month, at the most. Thank you for sharing your story!
You never do know what’s going on in a body, not really.
Ad thanks for the encouragement about the DVD – I’ve been trying to decide whether the book (which is finally taking shape) needs a DVD with it…
And Tori, you do headstand restoratively? Bloody hell woman. Have the wall all you like then! I never manage to get off the floor on ‘restorative’ days. Love your turn of phrase, by the way
I learned headstand practicing *near* a wall. That is, 1-2 feet away, depending on comfort level. That way, one could start to fall — or fall a fair deal — but still enter the pose feeling some security.
I still practice the pose in that place when I want to take it restoratively. My body still works the same in the posture, only without the added anxiety — which, as someone who has ANXIETY ALFUCKINGREADY, that shadow of mental comfort provides a great deal of physical stability in the pose.
I am issuing a word of caution! I learnt many years ago to do the headstand correctly, never against a wall and found balance easily. However, I am convinced it contributed to compression of discs in the neck, causing problems later in life. Just think mow much weight you are forcing your neck to hold! It is the one yoga pose I believe should be banned. There are many other poses which give the same benefit, without the danger. I was actually warned about this by a long time yoga user before I started doing it. I wish I had listened to her. She was right. I love your blogs Nadine and play your DVD regularly ( when’s the next one?!) but just had to comment that encouraging headstands is irresponsible. xk
Gorgeous. I didn’t learn headstand either, til I could move away from the wall AND once I’d built my core strength some more. I just think most people who try headstand too soon don’t have enough core stability.
Simon Borg Olivier suggests practising headstand with a “landing strip” behind you – as in, your mat. So, setting up at one end of the mat and then if you need to fall, being able to tuck your chin and roll into a ball. Bam! Easy way down in terms of falling safely.
That, in fact, is exactly how I learned to fall! The ole tuck and roll
Landing strip included…
Wonderful. I continue to struggle with handstand and dolphin because of my fear of falling …and my core fighting me every step of the way =)
The core strength thing. It REALLY shows up in the upside down poses. Sigh. I hear ya loud and clear with the fear thing, hon! But…you are turning your world on its head. Freaking awesome.