Advanced Asana: Building Strength and Inversions
Dive deeper into your practice by exploring inversions and arm balances. Whether you are curious about your first handstand or refining your flow, let's explore these postures safely together.
Working on Pincha Mayurasana, the Forearm Stand, using a tree for support. This inversion builds incredible shoulder and back strength without putting pressure on the head, teaching us to get back up every time we fall.
Playing with a wall-assisted handstand, or Adho Mukha Vrksasana. Using a wall is a safe and effective way to build the strength and confidence needed to eventually balance in the middle of the room.
A Scorpion Handstand variation against a wall. I love combining backbends with balancing postures to keep my practice interesting and challenging. It’s all about playing with shapes and seeing what your body can do.
Preparing for a handstand with some L-shaped hops in the studio. This drill is fantastic for building the core engagement and muscle memory required for inversions.
Finding balance in a variation of Sirsasana, or Headstand. Inversions calm the brain by increasing blood flow, helping us to find that quiet space that Patanjali speaks of.
Bakasana, or Crow Pose, on a large rock. Arm balances like this teach us to lean forward into the unknown, trusting our hands and our core to support us.
Another Bakasana, this time in a bamboo grove. This pose reminds us that our wings already exist; all we have to do is find the courage to fly.
About this collection
Advanced poses like Pincha Mayurasana or Bakasana aren't just about nailing the shape. I focus on wall-assisted drills and specific core engagement—like L-shaped hops—to help you build strength safely. You don't need to be a gymnast to start; we break down these flows into manageable, bite-sized steps so you learn the mechanics without the fear of falling.
Shifting Your Perspective
Advanced asanas are really about curiosity and 'abyhasa'—that steady, consistent effort. When we work on inversions like Adho Mukha Vrksasana (handstand) or Sirsasana (headstand), we aren't just building shoulder and core strength. We are learning to trust our bodies, face the fear of falling, and shift our perspective from head to heart.
How We Practice Safely
I believe in meeting your body where it is today. In our HSR Layout studio, we use plenty of props to ensure that even challenging poses are accessible:
- Wall Assistance: We use the wall for handstands and Scorpion variations to build confidence and muscle memory before trying to balance in the middle of the room.
- Prop Support: Yoga blocks and straps are not 'cheats'—they are essential tools for alignment, especially when working on deep hip openers like Utthan Pristhasana.
- Core Fundamentals: We spend time on L-shaped hops and other drills to strengthen the core engagement required for flight, ensuring you have the foundation before pushing for the full expression of a pose.
Beyond the Mat
Yoga is not a one-size-fits-all experience. Whether you are a beginner looking to understand the foundations of strength or a practitioner wanting to refine your flow, there is a place for you. We keep the vibe chill and supportive, focusing on breath and movement rather than competition. Let’s move, adapt, and enjoy the flow together. ✨
Amrita Nair
I believe yoga is 'abyhasa'—steady, consistent effort. I’m here to guide you through these flows, helping you find that balance between challenge and ease without taking ourselves too seriously.
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