There is something so relaxing about being upside down. So calming, unwinding, and tranquilizing. Believe it or not, but I enjoy taking savasana while in forearm stand or scorpion. I could rest in these inversions all day. Being upside down lets my mind zone out and allows me to just focus on my breathing.
I always start my practice with a forearm series against the wall to warm-up, then I lose the wall and move on to a handstand series and another forearm series. Maybe this is a yoga sin, to start a practice with moving the body in such a way, but it really gets me ready and focused for a beautiful practice. Not only do I practice handstands and forearm stands, but I have an undieing love for all backbends (hey wheel!), shoulder stand, half-moon, etc. I love them all (did you know forward bends are even inversions?). They are so freeing and show me the full potential of my strong and beautiful body.
I've always loved these kind of movements. When I was a little girl, you could always find me in the living room flipping around in handstands, bridges, cartwheels, and my ever-so persistent practice of trying to walk on my hands. (I was a yogi at heart and I just never knew it then!) I have vivid memories of waking up on Sunday mornings, going downstairs to practiceΒ walking on my hands and flipping onto the couch, all while waiting for my dad to come back with out traditional weekend breakfast of bagels and donuts! Haha!
As my yoga practice has become such a large part of my life and I now practice these inversions everyday, I can proudly hold endless handstands, forearm stands, wheels, shoulder stands, moons, and even walk on my hands! One day these inversions just seemed to click and it all became clear. My body feels so comfortable and natural in these postures and they really bring me peace. The inversion I love the most is my forearm scorpion. I love allowing my back to bend so far and almost have my toes touch the top of my head (almost!). I feel this balance and stability in the center of the circle my body makes. It's pretty incredible really.
Inversions allow all the energy to flow to the heart chakra which embodies love and peace. Inversions will energize the soul and make you feel beautiful, strong, confident, and calm. As the blood flow changes directions in the body, it just delivers an all-encompassing tranquility to the mind and body. Many people are scared they will fall flat on their face or break their neck (haha!), but if you trust yourself, find your center and balance, I promise, that with persistent practice, you won't!
To find that happy balance in all your inversions, you shouldn't think about it too much. You need to fully commit your trust to your body and strength and try to find the balance in the center of your being. Finding that balance is a full-body thing. Not just your arms, legs, shoulders, whatever. You must use your entire body and the air around you. It is all about trust, breath, and clearing the mind. Don't think about it too hard! If you fall, so what? Once you do get that balance to click and the fear is gone, you will be releasing some of your truest potential and it will give you an extraordinary feeling (believe me!).
I love inversions because they have taught me to be afraid of something new and to let go of fear. They have taught me trust, shown me strength, and given me peace. That's why this yogi loves inversions...and you should too!
So tell me:
+ What's your favorite inversion?
+ What inversion scares you the most? I think headstand is my least favorite and still scares me a bit.
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Jivi
I know exactly how you feel! Inversions are just so... perfect.
My favourite for when I am feeling stressed is definitely headstand, but in terms of invigorating inversions: pincha, without a doubt. I do it all the time. Waiting for the pot to boil? Pincha. Waiting for my boyfriend to get ready? Pincha. Ready to go to uni but really don't want to? Pincha.
Maybe you could share some tips on how to strengthen your inversion practice? I've been trying to learn to handstand for ages and that click you described is just not coming.
Much love
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks for reading.
Ashley Tukiainen
Hi Rebecca! You're one of our featured favorites this week on FTAF π
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks Ashley π
Sherry
I'm truly impressed. Thanks for linking up to Funtastic Friday. Hope to see you again this week.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks!
Lynda Hardy
Impressive! Thanks so much for linking up to Awesome Life Friday! http://rchreviews.blogspot.com
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you!
thefolia
Viva la inversions! I am in my last month of pregnancy and after a rough couple of weeks, I was told by my acupuncturist to do shoulder stance inversion to correct an issue I have been battling. The acupuncture point is on the top of my head so maybe with the reverse blood flow, I can overcome this. Namaste.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Shoulder stance seems a bit dangerous. I'd make sure it is 100% okay with your doctor.
Alex Caspero MA,RD (@delishknowledge)
I love inversions but they still scare me! My favorite is handstand, my least favorite is forearm stand! Adding them to my yoga practice is so much fun but even before I got there, I loved the idea of putting my head below my heart, even just in forward fold. It's so good for your body! Great post!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, forearm stand is so much fun!
But I totally agree! The feeling is so releasing in inversions. So wonderful all over!
kimmythevegan
Wowzers! That is crazy impressive Rebecca - go, girl! I am not a yogi by any means. I'm not sure I could do an inversion, but it's something to aspire to. I LOVE the way you have found such peace with yoga =)
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Don't say you can't! Anyway, there are so many forms of inversions!
Liz @ I Heart Vegetables
I've done gymnastics most of my life, so handstands and back bends were familiar territory for me. But I'd never tried forearm handstands until I started doing more yoga! It's such a different atmosphere, too. I feel like it's definitely helped me in my strength and flexibility!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Same here! I never did them myself till yoga. They are the best inversion though, haha! There is something so special about their balance!
Emily @My Healthyish Life
This post just came up on my Bloglovin' feed! I did gymnastics as a kid and loved doing backbends and handstands onto the couch. Headstand is my least favorite inversion too. I like tripod headstand though!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Bloglovin' is NOT lovin' my posts....it keeps delaying them in the feed :/ I asked about it and they said they fixed it...but obviously not!
Yes! That was like the best part of being a little kid, haha! Flipping around in the living room!
Tripod is awesome! My friends mom actually taught me that one years ago!
RFC
Maybe I'm too old (LOL) but being upside down makes me incredibly dizzy. I was trying to learn handstand pushups when I was doing crossfit, and I couldn't see straight every time I would get inverted!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, I love handstand push-ups! I guess the blood rush can be too much :/
jill conyers
You inspire me! I'm so so determined to master a handstand. If only you lived close enough to teach me π
If all goes as planned I'm joining a yoga studio this week and from what I understand there are several instructors that like inversions. Should help with my handstand right π
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It really is all about trusting yourself! In any inversion, if you trust your body to keep you safe and you don't focus on the potential "fall", it will come!
Nikki Vergakes
I do noooottt have to balance and coordination! That's awesome, thoughl
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yes you do! It just takes trust and practice!
Sandra Laflamme
I am nowhere near being able to do an inversion in yoga. The practice of inversions sounds amazing though. Maybe someday!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
If you can do farward bend or down dog, you can do inversions π
Alisa @ Go Dairy Free
I'm seriously in awe and envy of yogis who can do inversions. I can't even do crane, let alone full inversions! You look amazing at it - such flow.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
We've all got ot in us somewhere π Thank you Alisa π
Melanie @ Nutritious Eats
That's awesome that you are that comfortable doing them. I just held my first handstand (in a looooong time) for a few seconds and was so excited. Practicing definitely helps.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yes it does! One day when you fully commit, it just clicks and you never want to be "right-side-up" again! Haha!
Kerri Olkjer
I used to love headstands. Really need to attempt one again!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Go for handstands! So much better, haha!
Angela @ Happy Fit Mama
Most inversions scare the pants off me. Headstand and even handstand has never been a friend of mine. I do love wheel. It make my heart sing!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I just love the freeing up of space I feel when I bend so much in wheel!
Kristen
So in an intro to yoga workshop this week we tried inversions...and I didn't trust myself AT ALL. I could barely do anything! The instructor was great though and told us all that downward facing dog is an inversion and that made me feel a bit better haha. I think it might be a bit early for me, but in a few months once I've built up more balance and arm strength I want to try again!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It is all about trust! Really, don't sike yourself out! You will only ever get them if you really fully trust your body, no matter how strong you are! Keep practicing, don't wait! The wall and your soft mat are your friends to begin!
Linda @ Veganosity
I would definitely need a wall to start doing this. π I can hold a crow pose for quite a while though. You've inspired me to try this Rebecca. Thank you.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Well then you have the strength! Don't be scared though! They are so simply amazing!
Christine @ Love, Life, Surf
It took me a very long time to feel comfortable inverting. There was a whole lot of fear involved! Now I do love them 'tho there's still a lot of work that I need to do! I love headstands and handstands.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
They are all such a beautiful part of the practice! Once you conquer those fears, I think your practice can be taken to a whole new level!
Miranda @ Miranda Writes Blog
I love, love, love to do headstands. My goal is to be able to do a armstand without the wall by the end of this year. =)
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I think forearm stands are much easier then headstands!
genevieve @ gratitude & greens
Oh dear, I am still working on getting myself even halfway up! I've been a bit lazy with my practice lately, and I need to get back to it asap. Girl, you inspire me! I'm going to get working on getting that energy flow to my heart chakra. Happy Monday! <3
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yes! Do it! Just start flipping around and soon it will click! Just trust yourself and your strength! XOXO
jess meddows
No such thing as a yoga sin! You know it yourself that doing what feels good for you and your body is best. π
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
That is nicely said Jess π No yoga sins! I yoga to the beat of my own drum!
Natalie @ Feasting on Fruit
A day is not complete without going upside down at least once in my opinion! I love inversions too, but I never considered starting a practice that way. I'll have to try that π
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It really awakens the body! Haha!
Kels @ Blonder Side of LIfe
As a newbie yogi who has yet to actually conquer an inversion, I can tell you I'm working on them and they definitely teach patience lol. I was the opposite kid, I Hated being upside down!! No handstands or cartwheels for this girl. I'm branching out, growing, and trying to change that so I appreciate your words that it'll all be worth it π
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Anytime your heart is above your head, you're in an inversion π Keep practicing girl! The advanced poses are so rewarding!
If I could stay upside down all day...I would!
Jennifer F
I like all the inversion poses too . . .I am practicing and making progress!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
They are just so great! You really learn a lot for practicing them!
Hannah @CleanEatingVeggieGirl
I haven't practiced yoga as much as I would like, but I think inversions are definitely something that I would like to try and practice. I was in gymnastics growing up, so I think some of them (headstand, etc.) may actually come somewhat easily to me. I should give them a try!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Totally! They are so much fun to just play around with too! I bet they will come back then!
Pamela Hernandez
Nothing beats downward dog. π
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha π
Emilie
I wish I could do a pose like this!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
You can!
Michele @ paleorunningmomma
Since I was a gymnast in my younger days inversions are one of the most "fun" parts of yoga for me I'm finding! I've been working on forearm stands this week. I've also always done random wall handstands that have nothing to do with yoga. My kids find it entertaining π I'm working on my wheel pose as well which is finally coming back after years of zero back flexibility!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Exciting! Seriously I want to keep being able to do these things the rest of my life! I would cry if I lost this strength and flexibility!
Annmarie
You are such a talented yogi...I don't do very well upside down but I wish I could reach that level of flexibility!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It's about trust! You can do it!
Rachel @ Athletic Avocado
I really need to get into more yoga, I do like it, I really want to take a class!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Screw the class! Just do it at home!
Kelly
That picture is amazing, Rebecca. I am always afraid that my arms aren't strong enough and I will fall and get hurt. A friend of mine has an inversion chair...not the same, I know, but something about spinal realignment. You're amazing, nonetheless. π Happy Monday.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, old pictures π Thank you Kelly! You are strong! With practice, we can all do advanced inversions!
Farrah
I do inversions too! But on a pole... I feel like that still kindasorta counts! ;P They're so much fun! :] I love back bends too, and am still cursing my younger self for not starting gymnastics back when I had no fear and was wayy more flexible. But better late than never!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I did gymnastics and I wish so much that I didn't throw my life away to dance instead. I could have been a lot happier if I had taken that path than 13 years of dance :/
Carla
I dont know Im a YOGI but I do my best thinking on my head.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
We come to some of our best realizations that way π