You might think that it’s just another circus trick and you're partially right. However, apart from looking cool, doing handstands has also a long list of benefits and it will probably become even more interesting once you realize that YOU can do it too!
It’s not just about how cool it looks
It looks so good when someone is doing that perfectly balanced handstand. But what I'd like to write about today is that is also FEELS extremely good to be upside down. It’s like becoming a child again and being totally in the moment, focused, relaxed and joyful. All kinds of sports are generally beneficial to the mental health but handstands are simply amazing. When you’re upside down more blood comes to your head which has a calming as well as energizing effect. You’ll feel a total bliss once you turn upside down and that I can confirm! I've been doing handstands for 9 years already and for me personally this practice helped with stress management. The reason for it might be that all kinds of inversions (positions where your heart is higher than your head) are causing a decrease in the level of cortisol, stress hormone, which helps to relax. It is also said that doing handstands, and other inversions as well, can help dealing with a mild depression.
Strong muscles and bones
I’ve never been particularly strong in my upper body and only when I started doing handstands I felt my body began to change. 10 years ago I couldn’t do a single push up! And it was my handstand practice which improved the strength of my upper body making my shoulders, arms and hands super strong. The important fact here is that handstand is a bodyweight exercise so you don’t risk overloading your bones and muscles like it happens sometimes during weight lifting. Doing bodyweight exercises increases the density of your bones and protects you from osteoporosis in the old age.
Beautiful silhouette
I’ve always dreamt about flat belly, round, firm bum, sculpted back and strong but feminine arms. My body started to change only when I brought more diversity in my regular trainings instead of focusing on a paticular effect. I started doing yoga, interval trainings, inversions and acroyoga. Doing handstands helped me feel my body better, connect to my core and sculpt my body without me even once focusing on it! It just happened because I was so much into the training, having fun and simply moving that I stopped being so obsessed about how I look. Your body will change totally as well once you start training and you’ll see the difference already after 30 days of a regular handstand practice.
Improved blood circulation and breathing
When you turn upside down your body has to put less effort to pump the blood towards the heart. It also helps to cleans your nose and sinuses since the blood supply in the lungs is increased. Being upside down can help in unblocking your nose and sinuses! Since I started to do handstands and yoga I also stopped having problems with cold feet and hands and that’s also because of an improved blood circulation in these parts of my body. Handstand is a great way to relax your legs after a long day on feet. It can be helpful especially if you’re wearing high heels!
Improved feeling for balance
Everyone who ever tried handstand probably noticed how important it is to know where your body is in space and be able to balance it. Regular handstand training will improve your feeling for balance, make it easier for you to perform all kinds of balancing exercises or yoga asanas. My theory is that is will also improve your life balance but you'll have to believe me!
Do you want to be happy, healthy and fit? Doing handstands will help you achieve all of it - you can do it too!
I am curious what’s your experience with handstands. Have you ever tried it? Did you learn when you were a child? Would you like to start learning now if you haven’t yet? Write to me if you'd like to share your experience. I will talk about the most interesting topic in my newsletter.
Come and start your journey to handstand today. Click HERE to find out more about my online handstand course for beginners. Visit me on my Instagram page here you can explore the world of handstands. Subscribe to my YouTube channel to be up to date with all the trainings and yoga practices I am uploading there!
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