I'd been wanting to do a really good handstand as part of my yoga practice for ... a long time. And by really good, I mean Kino Macgregor good. But, yeah, I'll just state the obvious truth: Kino has been doing yoga for years and has made it her life purpose. She's dedicated herself to it. Kino said it took her six years to "get" her handstand. I was totally daunted by that and figured, "Eh, just keep putting in the time with a consistent yoga practice and eventually I'll build up the foundation to start working on it." Not an entirely bad idea, but totally passive that basically equated to "probably not gonna happen." You know how it goes.
When I was on vacation in Minnesota last month there was an open field, I could practice a little bit without hurting myself or damaging my surroundings. I got the bug again. So when I got back from vacation, my comrade, Cathleen Nardi blogged that she was going to do 100 Days of Handstands, I knew it was an opportunity for me to get going and support a friend.
We're each making up our own 'rules' for what needs to happen during the 100 Days and what we consider 'success' at the end of the 100 Days. I decided my fundamental goal would be to be in a controlled, unsupported handstand for six full, calm breaths. This may or may not be by a wall (I'd prefer away from a wall and I'm on track for that, but I'll take it however I can get it). If I reach this goal while at the wall, I'll need to come up with goal #2 while continuing my 100 days. Anti up!!! My initial goal doesn't describe how elegantly I get into position - maybe that'll be how I anti up!
Then there's the question of what has to happen each day in order to be considered a 'successful' completion of a handstand practice. I'm realizing that whatever this is will need to change as I go along. And I'm realizing that I need to be kind to myself. If I miss a day, that's ok, I just tack on another day on the end. I'm still gonna make those 100 Days and hopefully as consecutive as possible.
When I was on vacation in Minnesota last month there was an open field, I could practice a little bit without hurting myself or damaging my surroundings. I got the bug again. So when I got back from vacation, my comrade, Cathleen Nardi blogged that she was going to do 100 Days of Handstands, I knew it was an opportunity for me to get going and support a friend.
We're each making up our own 'rules' for what needs to happen during the 100 Days and what we consider 'success' at the end of the 100 Days. I decided my fundamental goal would be to be in a controlled, unsupported handstand for six full, calm breaths. This may or may not be by a wall (I'd prefer away from a wall and I'm on track for that, but I'll take it however I can get it). If I reach this goal while at the wall, I'll need to come up with goal #2 while continuing my 100 days. Anti up!!! My initial goal doesn't describe how elegantly I get into position - maybe that'll be how I anti up!
Then there's the question of what has to happen each day in order to be considered a 'successful' completion of a handstand practice. I'm realizing that whatever this is will need to change as I go along. And I'm realizing that I need to be kind to myself. If I miss a day, that's ok, I just tack on another day on the end. I'm still gonna make those 100 Days and hopefully as consecutive as possible.
I'm now on day 10 (only 90 to go! - ha, that's funny) and the biggest thing I'm noticing is how well my regular yoga practice is evolving so nicely - in such wonderful ways! I've become more consistent (yay!) and more patient. I've always wanted a 'personal practice' (i.e. not lead in a class situation). Now that I have this goal of doing handstands, I have an agenda for my personal practice. I integrate asanas that give me strength where I need it, and I have a new focus on bandhas (I don't think I'm going to be able to manage this goal without working on this!). And most of all, I have found a deeper reverence in my practice. I'm not sure why, perhaps because I have a goal that's for myself and the reward of it is that I get to be able to do what I'm working toward. Best. Reward. Ever.
And I suspect I'm going to get more than I bargained for. Such is usually the case for trying to do seemingly impossible things.
Yep, this is gonna be a good trip!
And I suspect I'm going to get more than I bargained for. Such is usually the case for trying to do seemingly impossible things.
Yep, this is gonna be a good trip!