My first headstand

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone,

 

I've been practicing Ashtanga for about 3 months now. I read a post

on this forum earlier today about the different emotions that surface

doing certain poses. I was very afraid of doing a headstand. I've

tried doing the headstand the Ashtanga way (arms in a triangle, head

cupped in the hands, etc.) but I was always too scared to do it.

 

The other day, I was practicing Iyengar with my wife and was doing

ardha shirshasana (elbows balanced on knees - headstand prep). My

wife said, "go ahead and do a headstand" (she got up and stood in

front of me in case I fell). My legs went up so easily and so

straight that it actually startled me. My wife and I both started

laughing at my reaction and I nearly lost my balance. Today in the

gym, I was able to do the same headstand (against a wall for

security) and hold it for several minutes. I'm feeling more

comfortable upside-down now. I decided to try it the Ashtanga way. I

realized that you have to give a little "jump" and you have to feel

the weight and balance go to your arms. It took a couple tries but I

finally did it. I was so excited that I fell forward (the wall caught

me). The next time I also fell, this time to the side, which I didn't

expect (I was on some soft mats so I didn't injure myself). The last

time I was able to hold it for almost a minute. I honestly never

thought I would be able to do it. I guess it's true what Sri. K.

Pattabhi Jois says, "practice, practice, practice and all is coming."

 

namaste everyone,

jeff