How to Do a Headstand for Gymnastics or Yoga

A headstand is a fairly easy inverted pose used in gymnastics or yoga to build strength and balance. The headstand that we'll talk about here is not a literal head-only headstand, and you will use your hands to help you balance and support the weight of your body. A headstand is a good middle ground between the tripod and the handstand for gymnastics or yoga.

First you must master the tripod pose before attempting a headstand. If you do not have the balance to hold a tripod, practice that first. If you go strait into a headstand you will spend a lot of time falling over and fail. Make sure you can hold the tripod pose for at least 30 seconds before attempting a headstand.

For a headstand for gymnastics or yoga the first thing you need to do is get on the ground on your hands and knees. Next, you will place your head on the ground slightly above your hands so that your head and hands make a triangle. Your head and hands should not be in a strait line or you will tip forwards or backwards and fail.

Next bend your elbows at a 90 degree angle and roll up onto the top of your head. Once your elbows are at 90 degrees you can begin moving into the tripod pose. To get into a tripod pose carefully lift up your right knee off of the ground and place it on top of your right elbow. When you are steady, finally lift up your left knee and place it on top of your left elbow. This is the tripod pose.

To move from a tripod pose to a headstand you must lift your legs up. It may be easier at first to do the tripod with your back to a wall so that if you tip backwards you can rest your legs on the wall. Slowly lift your legs up together and attempt to straiten them above you. It is important that you lift them together to keep your center of balance.

Once you have lifted them up strait above you and can hold the pose you are in a headstand. When you feel more stable you can try the headstand away from the wall. As with any inverted pose, make sure that you try it in a safe area where you cannot fall onto anything hard or any sharp edges. A soft padded carpet or grassy yard will be best.

If you feel you are tipping towards your back shift more weight over your hands. If you feel your are tipping toward your stomach shift more weight over your head. If you are in an open area and feel you will fall toward your back tuck and roll on your upper back, not your neck. If you feel you will fall toward your stomach simply place your feet down first. If the top of your head hurts from pressure you may place some type of padding or a couple folded t-shirts under your head.