How to Get into Headstand by Yourself

In these times of self-quarantine, how do you get into Headstand if you need help but there is nobody around to help you?

Here are some pointers for getting into Headstand by yourself.

Sirsasana in a corner cropped.jpg

First, set up in a corner.  The corner will feel very secure when you go up.  It hugs you in on both sides and won’t let you tip over to the right or left.

Set your mat up at a 45-degree angle to the wall.

Setting up in a corner of the room.

The chair helps you have a higher starting point for lift off. Notice how I have placed the chair so that it is close enough for me to put one foot on it and lift my hips into the air.  The chair is angled to give it the most stability.   If the chair is too close, you won’t be able to get your bottom foot onto it.  If it is too far away, you will not be able to lift your hips up into the air.  See how the chair is off to the side of my bottom leg.  I don’t want to hit it on the way down!  I placed a mat on the chair for better traction for my bottom foot.  It may take a few attempts to paly with this and get it right.

Come onto your hands and knees on your mat.  Interlace your fingers together and place your forearms on the floor with your knuckles as close into the corner as you can comfortably get them. 

Place your head on the floor, cradled inside of your interlaced hands.  Press down into your forearms and raise your hips up.  Place the foot of your bottom leg onto the chair seat and lift your hips even higher.  Swing your other leg up into the air.  If the chair is close enough, you should be able to get your top leg to the wall.  The corner will guide you into center.  Let your other leg follow. 

You may surprise yourself by being able to get into headstand by yourself!  Congratulations!

In the beginning stay for a short period of time.  Build your endurance to stay over time.  This is exciting to be able to do Headstand by yourself, but don’t over-do it!

Be careful coming down not to hit the chair!  Try to bring the leg that is furthest from the chair down first.

Let me know how this works for you.  I hope that soon, you will be able to come into Headstand, on your own, without using the chair!