Tuck Jumps

by | Oct 17, 2024 | Main Page Display

Tuck Jumps

Handstand

TUCK JUMPS

Without a doubt, tuck jumps are a confidence booster when it comes to preparing for handstands.  When we go through the course of preparation, it’s not the first step, but it’s definitely a way of identifying where strength and proprioception require attention.  

By performing tuck jumps, we build strength and bring awareness to how we utilize our glutes, hamstrings, hip flexors, and shoulders, which are essential for supporting our body weight when inverted.  More than this, we learn the articulations of the body in places like the pelvis, rib cage, and shoulders in order to find the best alignment to support ourselves while inverted.

In today’s video, Matt demonstrates drills that move us towards finding confidence in our handstand development.  Ultimately we are left with increased strength and balance.

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HANDSTAND PREPARATION POSITIONS

Handstand Preparation I

With the support of a chair, one of the things this stage of preparation for tuck jumps and handstands works on is hip flexor activation.  Matt demonstrates that we do this by focusing on pressing both feet down into the chair.  It’s also essential because it’s always part of the set up for the drills that follow.

Handstand Preparation II

This time, we bring one leg straight up in the air and reach it back, while still pressing the other leg towards the ground (or into the chair).  As we learn forward with the torso and press the top leg back, this helps to utilize strength in the glutes and hamstrings.

Handstand Preparation III

Now we start to see more evidence of the tuck position.  Here we alternate the legs by going from a tuck position to a lengthened position.

WATCH THE VIDEO

TUCK JUMPS: FLOAT UP TO HANDSTAND

STATIC PELVIC ALIGNMENT

In this stage of preparation for tuck jumps, we pass through Handstand preparations I & II. Setting up the pelvis is crucial for achieving the proper alignment necessary for successful jumps. Matt creates a posterior pelvic tilt, which helps stabilize the lower back and engage the core effectively.  Matt is careful to squeeze his knees together, creating a unified strength in the lower body. This alignment not only enhances balance but also facilitates a smoother transition into the jump when we’re ready to explore. Additionally, Matt actively stretches his shoulders up to his ears, being careful to keep the arms active and straight. This engagement ensures that his arms are strong and ready to support the weight of the body during the handstand. By focusing on these key elements, he sets a solid foundation for mastering the tuck jump and progressing towards the handstand.

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JUMP & LAND

Even when we begin to explore Tuck Jumps, there are still stages that help us to ease in. 

First, we start in an “L – Hop” and then take both feet to a wall behind us with the knees bent.  Staying in that position while working towards stacking the ribcage, hips, and shoulders serve to create the foundation for us to now proceed with exploration of the “jump”.

At this next stage, Matt continues to utilize a block at the wrist and forearms in order to maintain the vertical position.  He reminds us then when we implement the jump, it’s common for us to lean back instead of leaning forward.

If you’ve practiced handstands with Matt before, then you’ll know that the “lean, grip, push” elements are consistently the basis for handstands therefore, also applying to tuck jumps.

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PREPARE THE FLOAT

As we go through the preparations, we learn that without the static holds, and practice of control, we would never find the “float” or “hang time” in our tuck jumps and of course ultimately handstand.

The stronger and more stable we are, the lighter we will feel.  Yes, there is a tremendous amount of effort to build the necessary strength, but the reward is ease when our bodies are prepared.  Preparation is the path to execution.

Matt’s Italy Retreat in April 2025 is now open for registration and spaces are limited. Secure your spot for the ultimate guidance and support of your practice.

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Video Extracted From: Mobility Immersion

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Wall Drills To Progress In Handstand

by | Aug 14, 2024 | Main Page Display

Wall Drills to Progress in Handstand

Adho Mukha Vrksasana

WALL DRILLS TO PROGRESS IN HANDSTAND

Wall drills for Handstand are an excellent way to master the mechanics required to go upside down with confidence. Using the wall as a support to refine alignment, rather than as a crutch to neglect technique, is vital to the development of the pose.

In this case, using a wall as a prop may appear to be counterintuitive, but it actually helps us set up a firm foundation for the hands, shoulders, rib cage, and hips. These are the important pieces of the puzzle that will ultimately take us away from the wall and help us to stand tall (on our hands of course).  

It’s true that we learn how to isolate the actions for each body part, but it’s the layering on of each action that locks each piece into place in order for our handstand to become a firm unit.

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PRIORITIZE THE RIB CAGE

Matt teaches us that the area we need to prioritize when it comes to balancing in Handstand is the rib cage. More than just stacking the hips over the shoulders, getting the rib cage vertical first is actually more important because it provides the control required.

One of the wall drills Matt demonstrates to assist with this technique is the Pike Switch with a chair and a number of yoga blocks.

The first step is to push through the shoulders for increased scapular mobility, which will also allow the rib cage to move more freely during the exploration. 

Setting up the lower leg as high as possible (at approximately a 90-degree angle) will assist in alternating the legs with more ease. It’s also important to tap into the sensation of the placement of the ribs between each “switch” of the legs.

WATCH THE VIDEO

WALL DRILLS TO PROGRESS IN HANDSTAND: IMPLEMENT MASTERFUL INVERSION TECHNIQUES

GO FOR THE FLOAT

Just like we layer on each technique within the body, we also layer on more challenges in the wall drills we explore.

Now that we’ve worked on the alignment of the rib cage to create a straight line from the wrists to the shoulders to the hips, we can progress by aiming to find some “float” time in an L-Handstand. Here we take the top foot closer to the wall, but we still work to avoid the common “banana back.” If this is brand new to your practice, you may not be able to avoid tapping the wall with your top foot in the attempt to stay balanced. However, still aim to keep the rib cage vertical, even though the top leg may be on a slight diagonal towards the wall.

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TAKE YOUR FEET TO THE WALL

Matt teaches this drill to help us get a vertical line from the forearms to the rib cage to the knees. The knees are significant here because they are bent, and the feet are actually on the wall. Bending the knees allows us to achieve a vertical line. At this stage, if the legs were straight, we might be more inclined to create more spinal extension.

If we still feel challenged, it may be due to lack of strength in the glutes and core muscles. In the video, Matt lies down in a supine position and then lifts up into a variation of Bridge to help us develop the sensational awareness of glute and core activation simultaneously while taking the arms up overhead. This helps simulate how we would feel in the former wall drill.

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HOP INTO HANDSTAND

Here, we progress into L-Hops by placing one foot on a block that sits directly on the floor. We’re now hopping into balance, with the wall behind us for increased safety. This wall drill can be compared to Kick Switches, the difference being that we keep the same shape and repeat with the same leg for a few rounds, instead of alternating legs. This is a drill to explore once we have found some success with “the float” and of course the stacking of the rib cage. However, there is still room to go further.  

If you’re interested in advancing your practice and/or becoming certified to teach impactful drills like these, then you’ll want to secure your spot in Matt’s upcoming Chromatic Global Training.  

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Article by Trish Curling

Video Extracted From: The Handstand Program 

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  • Anatomy and biomechanics for yoga
  • Appropriate for both teachers and students
  • Learn joint alignment vs pose alignment
  • Demystify yoga poses and transitions
  • Release aches and pains
  • Learn how to avoid common injuries
  • Caters to all levels with modifications and props
  • 20 hours Continued Education Credits with Yoga Alliance
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Continue Learning

Tuck Jumps

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read more
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read more
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Double Stag Handstand

by | Apr 18, 2024 | Main Page Display

Double Stag Handstand

balance

DOUBLE STAG HANDSTAND

Cultivating confidence is a non-negotiable when it comes to implementing a handstand practice. If handstands seem insurmountable even to consider, don’t fret; there might be an easier option. Easier? Really? Yes! 

Ok, from appearances alone, this option may still appear inconceivable, but the “easier option” of Double Stag Handstand may be that variation of an inversion that offers us the fortitude to continue on the journey towards Straight-Back Handstand.

Of course, we are all individuals, so the opposite may be true for any one of us. If we’re in a position where neither Double Stag Handstand nor Straight-Back are a part of our practice, today’s video will outline some reasons why exploring this option first may be our ticket to success in ultimately conquering both variations over time.  

In addition, understanding that Double Stag Handstand incorporates more of a backbend position than Straight-Back will keep us on the right track.

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SHOULDER PREPARATION

One of the most valuable lessons we learn along the track of preparing for an ambitious posture like Double Stag Handstand is how to dial back and prepare appropriately. 

 Here are 2 ways to prepare the shoulders:

Child’s Pose

Matt’s demonstration in the video outlines the importance of lifting the armpits up to make sure that the head of the humerus isn’t pinching into the acromion process, a bony projection on the shoulder blade. This will help to reduce the possibility of shoulder impingement.

Anahatasana Against a Wall

We can progress this patterning in our bodies by practicing the lift of the armpits at a wall in Anahatasana. In both Child’s Pose and Anahatasana, it can be common to drop into the posture by allowing the chest to fall through without lifting the armpits and activating the muscles of the shoulders, but it’s imperative that we strengthen the shoulder muscles before attempting to go upside down. 

WATCH THE VIDEO

DOUBLE STAG HANDSTAND: IS IT EASIER THAN A STRAIGHT-BACK HANDSTAND?

GROUNDWORK FOR THE LEGS AND SPINE

The chest moving ahead of the arms is important for the backbend quality Double Stag Handstand requires, but we also need to create the increased flexibility for deeper extension in the hips and spine.

Here are 2 variations of Low Lunge: 

Low Lunge With a Side Bend 

When practicing with Matt, we become very familiar with drawing the feet towards one another in postures like Low Lunge. This action creates a facilitated stretch. The strengthening aspect of this technique results in increased flexibility. The additional side bend and backbend encourage the lengthening required for the spine, even though the amount of backbend in Double Stag Handstand is not as extensive as in some other heart openers.

Anjaneyasana Preparation With Cactus Arms

Here, we develop the use of the transversus abdominis while training the backbend. In the video, you’ll see how Matt teaches us how to avoid compression in the spine.

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3 POSTURES TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION

Double Stag Legs in Shoulderstand

This is a nice way to practice the positioning of the legs for the counterbalance in Double Stag Handstand. This counterbalance is arguably why it may be easier to access the ability to balance in a handstand.  

Double Stag Headstand

Here’s where we start to put a few of the foundations to the test. In the video, Matt emphasizes that keeping the leg that is on the same side as the front body a little lower will help to maintain a more optimal pelvic position. The strengthening of hip flexion and extension is valuable in this negotiation of balance.

Double Stag Forearm Stand

There’s a short demonstration in the video of this variation. This option is potentially more challenging due to the “tightness” required in the shoulders and the increased requirement of activation in the body for balance.  

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STRAIGHT-BACK VERSUS STAG HANDSTAND

Last week’s blog delves into the position of the pelvis for Straight-Back Handstand (posterior tilt). Due to the backbend quality of Double Stag Handstand, the opposite is true (anterior tilt of the pelvis). The positioning of the legs in Double Stag offers a broader body shape for counter balance and therefore more room for play and negotiation. Attempting to stay completely vertical in Straight-Back leaves us more vulnerable to favouring a lean to one side and potentially losing balance more easily. No matter what, it still comes down to our own individual experience.

Preparation for Double Stag may not be glamorous, but that’s not what it’s about. What’s truly glamorous are the benefits of a deeper understanding of our bodies and the strength and longevity we foster.

You can still register to embark on a journey of a deeper understanding of your body and its potential in Matt’s 10-Day Handstand Program.

The 200 Hr. Teacher Training: Click Here to See the Next Start Date

The 300 Hr. Advanced Teacher Training: Click Here to See the Next Start Date

Article by Trish Curling

Videos Extracted From: Inversion Immersion

lotus pose online yoga classes

ONLINE ANATOMY COURSE

  • Accessible, exciting, and easy to learn
  • Anatomy and biomechanics for yoga
  • Appropriate for both teachers and students
  • Learn joint alignment vs pose alignment
  • Demystify yoga poses and transitions
  • Release aches and pains
  • Learn how to avoid common injuries
  • Caters to all levels with modifications and props
  • 20 hours Continued Education Credits with Yoga Alliance
  • 20 hours toward Chromatic Yoga Certification and 300 Hour
  • Lifetime access
TELL ME MORE!

Continue Learning

Tuck Jumps

Tuck Jumps

Tuck JumpsHandstandTUCK JUMPS Without a doubt, tuck jumps are a confidence booster when it comes to preparing for handstands.  When we go through the course of preparation, it’s not the first step, but it’s definitely a way of identifying where strength and...

read more
Counter Rotations

Counter Rotations

Counter RotationsStabilityCOUNTER ROTATIONS The isolation of specific articulations in a yoga posture can be tricky to implement when we’re still learning how our bodies move. When we begin to explore counter rotations, this layer might feel confusing or even...

read more
Bird Of Paradise

Bird Of Paradise

Bird of ParadiseSvarga DvijasanaBIRD OF PARADISE In Bird of Paradise, we’re balancing while binding, which can be quite an undertaking. Preparation for this posture requires shoulder mobility, hip mobility, and a tremendous amount of strength. What we also need to be...

read more
A Tree Pose Treatment

A Tree Pose Treatment

A Tree Pose TreatmentVrksasanaA TREE POSE TREATMENT Tree Pose may appear to be a posture we can just “jump into” because of its “accessibility” from anywhere we might be standing, but it definitely requires more refinement than we might think. A treatment to revive...

read more
Practice Peacock Pose

Practice Peacock Pose

Practice Peacock PoseMayurasanaPRACTICE PEACOCK POSE We go to our yoga practice for many different reasons at any given time. In our asana practice, we are sometimes seeking softness and ease. At other times, we might be striving for vigour and strength. Peacock Pose...

read more
Eka Pada Koundinyasana I

Eka Pada Koundinyasana I

Eka Pada Koundinyasana IArm BalanceEKA PADA KOUNDINYASANA I If Side Crow is already part of our practice, then Eka Pada Koundinyasana I is like adding on another layer to that posture, because they are quite similar. The added layer is that we extend the top leg...

read more
All Videos

THE FREE TECHNIQUE PACK

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  • the Technique Pack: 15 yoga pose breakdowns
  • exclusive online course discounts
  • exclusive blogs and videos
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Accelerated Handstand Development

by | Apr 11, 2024 | Main Page Display

Accelerated Handstand Development

inversion

ACCELERATED HANDSTAND DEVELOPMENT

Accelerating the process of achieving a goal comes from consistent practice, but it also depends heavily on the information and knowledge we’ve acquired.  

Whether a handstand is part of our regular asana practice or not, there is always room for improvement. Learning and understanding the intricate skill sets are imperative. These are the things that will expedite our development. This doesn’t mean that it will happen fast but that we are equipped with more knowledge to apply to our physical practice, which will enhance our results.  

There are a number of different areas for improvement when it comes to a better handstand, and one that might be overlooked is pelvic alignment. The drills and skills from today’s video provide the roadmap towards the final destination of a well-balanced handstand (pun intended lol).

 

chromatic yoga 15 hour immersion

10-DAY HANDSTAND PROGRAM

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN

  • Safe, systematic, and effective
  • 10-day training plan with guided daily tutorials
  • 2 livestream workshops: Replays are automatically included if you cannot attend live
  • Learn the most anatomically aligned and efficient handstand
  • Acrobatic training skills made easy and accessible for regular people
  • All levels appropriate
  • Build YOUR handstand, honoring your body and its unique strengths and challenges
  • No experience required
  • Variations for all levels, from 0 experience to professional hand balancers
  • BONUS: Zoom meeting (available to waitlist members only for the first 24 hours of registration opening): On Day 3, we will meet on Zoom for group coaching and personalized feedback!
  • SPACE IS LIMITED FOR THIS TRAINING TO PROVIDE THE BEST SUPPORT POSSIBLE
✋ SIGN UP HERE

PELVIC ALIGNMENT TENDENCIES

In an upright position, knowing the difference between anterior and posterior tilt of the pelvis may be easier to negotiate. At other times, it may be harder to determine. In the full class, Matt explains that many of us have the tendency to posteriorly tilt the pelvis when standing, which may be because we are trying to find the least amount of energy exertion by placing more weight into the hip joints. 

The opposite is true when upside down in a handstand. Here, the tendency may be to anteriorly tilt the pelvis (especially if there is a wall behind us). We might feel that the safer place to be is behind us, so the hips move in that direction. This tendency does not serve us in a balanced handstand away from a wall. In this case, the posterior tilt of the pelvis is a must.

WATCH THE VIDEO

ACCELERATED HANDSTAND DEVELOPMENT: POLISHING PELVIC ALIGNMENT

SPHINX TO HOLLOW BODY & CRESENT POSE

To find balance in a handstand off the wall, we must polish our pelvic alignment. We don’t start by trying this in handstand; first, we must strengthen and train the appropriate muscles in other postures and drills. In today’s video, Matt begins by demonstrating 2 ways to implement this strengthening and training in our regular practice.

Sphinx to Hollow Body

In this demonstration, we are guided through 4 phases. It is a very slow and controlled process that not only strengthens the core and upper body, it also helps us understand how to effectively isolate and articulate the movements of the rib cage and pelvis.

Crescent Pose

Here we really learn to train and develop the tucking of the tailbone—the posterior tilt of the pelvis—against straightening and lengthening the back leg. When doing this, we’re activating the quadricep and gluteal muscles at the same time. This will translate well when transitioning upside down.

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  • Learn techniques for a wide range of yoga postures
  • Get certified and highly qualified to teach yoga
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LEARN MORE!

HANDSTAND WALL DRILLS

Included in the process of handstand development is the practicing of pelvic alignment when we’re inverted in the context of drills. The handstand drills in today’s video are done against a wall. They provide the opportunity to place our feet on the wall in order to focus on the placement of the pelvis into a posterior-tilt position.

  1. First, without any props, we gain the understanding of how important it is to push through the shoulders to initiate greater movement of the rib cage back, which initiates the desired “straight stacking” of the body. When the action of the posterior tilt takes place, our feet become lighter.
  2. This is the same drill with the use of a chair, which can assist by offering more control to get upright. The exit here can also assist in practicing a safer exit when we start practicing away from a wall.
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300 HOUR ONLINE TEACHER TRAINING

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Master your skill set as a teacher through refined techniques, anatomy, biomechanics, sequencing, philosophy, meditation techniques, theming, yoga business, and much more!

  • Get 500 hour certified
  • Learn anatomy, biomechanics, asana techniques
  • Expand your teaching skills
  • Masterful sequencing and verbal delivery
  • Learn meditation and breathwork techniques
  • Transformative tools: theming, dharma talks, satsang
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PROCESS & TRANSFORMATION

We can never escape going through the processes our bodies need when we’re working towards a given yoga posture, and those processes are always individual. The muscles we need to train, the techniques we need to develop, and the knowledge we need to acquire will vary at different times throughout the process.  

Matt always says that a posture like a handstand is evidence that we have tapped into increased mastery of the understanding of our own bodies. This is the true gift of the process on the journey towards transformation, not achievement.

Matt’s 10-Day Handstand Program works to systematically expose our greatest potential.  

Transform your relationship with handstand by registering today!

The 200 Hr. Teacher Training: Click Here to See the Next Start Date

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Article by Trish Curling

Videos Extracted From: Handstand & Meditation Immersion

lotus pose online yoga classes

ONLINE ANATOMY COURSE

  • Accessible, exciting, and easy to learn
  • Anatomy and biomechanics for yoga
  • Appropriate for both teachers and students
  • Learn joint alignment vs pose alignment
  • Demystify yoga poses and transitions
  • Release aches and pains
  • Learn how to avoid common injuries
  • Caters to all levels with modifications and props
  • 20 hours Continued Education Credits with Yoga Alliance
  • 20 hours toward Chromatic Yoga Certification and 300 Hour
  • Lifetime access
TELL ME MORE!

Continue Learning

Tuck Jumps

Tuck Jumps

Tuck JumpsHandstandTUCK JUMPS Without a doubt, tuck jumps are a confidence booster when it comes to preparing for handstands.  When we go through the course of preparation, it’s not the first step, but it’s definitely a way of identifying where strength and...

read more
Counter Rotations

Counter Rotations

Counter RotationsStabilityCOUNTER ROTATIONS The isolation of specific articulations in a yoga posture can be tricky to implement when we’re still learning how our bodies move. When we begin to explore counter rotations, this layer might feel confusing or even...

read more
Bird Of Paradise

Bird Of Paradise

Bird of ParadiseSvarga DvijasanaBIRD OF PARADISE In Bird of Paradise, we’re balancing while binding, which can be quite an undertaking. Preparation for this posture requires shoulder mobility, hip mobility, and a tremendous amount of strength. What we also need to be...

read more
A Tree Pose Treatment

A Tree Pose Treatment

A Tree Pose TreatmentVrksasanaA TREE POSE TREATMENT Tree Pose may appear to be a posture we can just “jump into” because of its “accessibility” from anywhere we might be standing, but it definitely requires more refinement than we might think. A treatment to revive...

read more
Practice Peacock Pose

Practice Peacock Pose

Practice Peacock PoseMayurasanaPRACTICE PEACOCK POSE We go to our yoga practice for many different reasons at any given time. In our asana practice, we are sometimes seeking softness and ease. At other times, we might be striving for vigour and strength. Peacock Pose...

read more
Eka Pada Koundinyasana I

Eka Pada Koundinyasana I

Eka Pada Koundinyasana IArm BalanceEKA PADA KOUNDINYASANA I If Side Crow is already part of our practice, then Eka Pada Koundinyasana I is like adding on another layer to that posture, because they are quite similar. The added layer is that we extend the top leg...

read more
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Headstand and Forearm Stand

by | Jan 4, 2024 | Main Page Display

Headstand and Forearm Stand

Master This Imperative Shoulder Action

scapula elevation

HEADSTAND AND FOREARM STAND

Getting straight to the point, the imperative shoulder action in Headstand and Forearm Stand is elevation of the scapulae. This is the best way to fully participate in developing your potential in these postures. It may seem like a simple action, but it’s important to understand the broader scope of what’s involved. More than just lifting your shoulders up towards your ears, it’s the activation of muscles like the upper trapezius, serratus anterior, and the triceps, along with freedom in the neck, that help support this action. In today’s video, Matt outlines a number of drills that will assist you in finding the appropriate amount of activation and strength to achieve balance, stability, and freedom in Headstand and Forearm Stand.

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    • Chest/heart flexibility
    • Increase active range of motion of the shoulder
    • Learn shoulder anatomy as you practice
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    • Gain access to shoulder-focused postures
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    • Skillfully guided sequence by the founder of Chromatic Yoga, Matt Giordano
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    DOWNWARD DOG–DOLPHIN DRILL

    This first drill can be approached in two different ways:

    1.  The first approach to this Headstand drill starts in a shorter Downward-Facing Dog in which your body is still in a diagonal position. You then proceed to play with movement between moving your head gently down towards the ground, which requires a softening in the shoulders, and pushing the floor away with your forearms, creating more elevation of the scapulae and pushing your body back. Matt reminds you not to move back to a point where you feel pain in your shoulders as a result of greater compression in the joint. 
    2.  In the second approach, you’ll walk your feet in to become more vertical (closer to Headstand or Forearm Stand position). It’s important to note the slow lowering of your head towards the ground in order to build greater strength in the elevators of the scapulae.

    WATCH THE VIDEO

    HEADSTAND AND FOREARM STAND: MASTER THIS IMPERATIVE SHOULDER ACTION

    HEADSTAND PREPARATION

    It may be simpler to understand why elevation of the scapulae is important in Forearm Stand: The goal there is to take your head completely off of the ground. Why is elevation of the scapulae also imperative in Headstand? Well, implementing this action will reduce pressure on your cervical spine, that is, in the neck.  

    If you are going forward with this exploration, then you will feel some weight in your head in the starting position (feet down). To reduce this weight, Matt advises you to take your gaze towards your belly button to get longer in the back of your neck and/or to take the opportunity to strengthen your serratus muscles, along with the trapezius, by pushing the floor away to the degree that allows you to lift your head further away from the ground. This movement may be slight or moving more towards Forearm Stand.

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    FOREARM STAND DRILLS

    Once you’ve explored some of the added layers in Headstand from the video, you can move on to explore your potential in Forearm Stand. This of course requires increased elevation of the scapulae in order to lift your head off the ground.

    This time, start with your head completely off the ground. Proceed by lifting one leg up at a time. If you’re close to a wall, like Matt is in the video, you’ll see how he demonstrates a controlled hop.

    Now, if you’re looking for a bit more, you’ll see Matt’s demonstration utilizing a chair in the video. This can be more intense, but what Matt explains is that it’s helpful to remove the balance element from the drill because you can work on strengthening and deepening the connection to the awareness of the range required in the scapulae in order to lift.

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    300 HOUR ONLINE TEACHER TRAINING

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    • Get 500 hour certified
    • Learn anatomy, biomechanics, asana techniques
    • Expand your teaching skills
    • Masterful sequencing and verbal delivery
    • Learn meditation and breathwork techniques
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    LEARN MORE!

    PROTECT YOUR NECK

    Keep in mind, the best choice to avoid injury or the aggravation of any known discomfort in your neck is to stay away from Headstand completely. However, what’s offered in the video tutorial, assuming it’s safe for you to explore, are ways to intelligently approach the practice of Headstand and Forearm Stand with a deeper understanding of how to prepare your body. The drills teach you how to build strength and mobility concurrently. You’ll learn how to strengthen muscles like the trapezius, serratus anterior, and stabilizers of the neck, but the basis for this strengthening comes from the important action of elevating your scapulae. This action is the catalyst for unlocking your potential in these inversions.

    Register today for The Shoulder Reset, a 2-hour livestream workshop on January 28th, where Matt will dive into technique, anatomy, and the biomechanics of the shoulder joint.

    See you on the mat!


    The 200 Hr. Teacher Training: Click Here to See the Next Start Date

    The 300 Hr. Advanced Teacher Training: Click Here to See the Next Start Date

    Article by Trish Curling

    Videos Extracted From: Shoulder Mobility Immersion

    lotus pose online yoga classes

    ONLINE ANATOMY COURSE

    • Accessible, exciting, and easy to learn
    • Anatomy and biomechanics for yoga
    • Appropriate for both teachers and students
    • Learn joint alignment vs pose alignment
    • Demystify yoga poses and transitions
    • Release aches and pains
    • Learn how to avoid common injuries
    • Caters to all levels with modifications and props
    • 20 hours Continued Education Credits with Yoga Alliance
    • 20 hours toward Chromatic Yoga Certification and 300 Hour
    • Lifetime access
    TELL ME MORE!

    Continue Learning

    Tuck Jumps

    Tuck Jumps

    Tuck JumpsHandstandTUCK JUMPS Without a doubt, tuck jumps are a confidence booster when it comes to preparing for handstands.  When we go through the course of preparation, it’s not the first step, but it’s definitely a way of identifying where strength and...

    read more
    Counter Rotations

    Counter Rotations

    Counter RotationsStabilityCOUNTER ROTATIONS The isolation of specific articulations in a yoga posture can be tricky to implement when we’re still learning how our bodies move. When we begin to explore counter rotations, this layer might feel confusing or even...

    read more
    Bird Of Paradise

    Bird Of Paradise

    Bird of ParadiseSvarga DvijasanaBIRD OF PARADISE In Bird of Paradise, we’re balancing while binding, which can be quite an undertaking. Preparation for this posture requires shoulder mobility, hip mobility, and a tremendous amount of strength. What we also need to be...

    read more
    A Tree Pose Treatment

    A Tree Pose Treatment

    A Tree Pose TreatmentVrksasanaA TREE POSE TREATMENT Tree Pose may appear to be a posture we can just “jump into” because of its “accessibility” from anywhere we might be standing, but it definitely requires more refinement than we might think. A treatment to revive...

    read more
    Practice Peacock Pose

    Practice Peacock Pose

    Practice Peacock PoseMayurasanaPRACTICE PEACOCK POSE We go to our yoga practice for many different reasons at any given time. In our asana practice, we are sometimes seeking softness and ease. At other times, we might be striving for vigour and strength. Peacock Pose...

    read more
    Eka Pada Koundinyasana I

    Eka Pada Koundinyasana I

    Eka Pada Koundinyasana IArm BalanceEKA PADA KOUNDINYASANA I If Side Crow is already part of our practice, then Eka Pada Koundinyasana I is like adding on another layer to that posture, because they are quite similar. The added layer is that we extend the top leg...

    read more
    All Videos

    THE FREE TECHNIQUE PACK

    When You Subscribe, You Will Get Instant Access to

    • the Technique Pack: 15 yoga pose breakdowns
    • exclusive online course discounts
    • exclusive blogs and videos
    • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

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