Mastering Headstands & Arm Balances Step-by-Step

Here are three super useful drills to strengthen your headstand. We work on dolphin pushups for arm strength, scapula lifts to learn shoulder engagement, and walking in and out to build core control. Practicing these consistently will make a huge difference.

This video breaks down the headstand into eight simple steps, from setting your foundation to lifting off. I always remind my students to be comfortable in one step before moving to the next. It’s a journey, not a race.

Let's learn how to get into a tripod headstand. I will show you how to find the crown of your head, create a stable base with your hands, and engage your shoulders to protect your neck. We will move slowly, bringing the knees to the arms before lifting up.

Once you are comfortable with the basic tripod headstand, you can explore different entries. This video shows three ways to enter: from a tuck, with straight legs (pike), and from a wide-legged straddle. These variations add a fun challenge to your practice.

This is a more advanced transition from Crow Pose (Kakasana) to a tripod headstand. It requires a lot of control and strength. Before you attempt this, make sure you are very comfortable holding both poses separately.

Pincha Mayurasana, or forearm balance, is a beautiful and challenging inversion. This video offers a few tips to get stronger, like building arm strength with dolphin pose and using your hands to grip the mat for balance.

This is the same Pincha Mayurasana tutorial, just a different view. Consistency is key for advanced asanas. If you want to learn, I can guide you in my online classes.

This is a slow-motion look at the Pincha Mayurasana, or feathered peacock pose. It’s a moment of pure focus and love for the practice. Inversions like this teach us so much about balance, both on and off the mat.

Even on days when I feel physically weak, I find strength in my practice. Here, I am attempting a pike lift into Pincha Mayurasana. It’s a reminder that our bodies are strong and capable, and we should fill our lives with gratitude for what they can do.