Welcome to my new program: Journey to Handstand! In this video I explain what you can expect out of this ongoing series. This is not your typical handstand program: I am going to take you deep into every corner of preparation you can imagine for this inversion, and hopefully show you that it really is just about enjoying the ride. If you are taking the program, please don't skip this video over. Grab a cup of coffee and tune in to just 6 minutes of me introducing this program I am so excited to bring to you.

Our first class in the Journey to Handstand series is short and sweet. In just ten minutes I take you through some basic foundational strength movements that are essential before ever trying to stand on your hands. While we do touch on the wrists and the core a bit, the emphasis is mostly on shoulder strength foundations. We will have more strength building classes in this series on the shoulders, wrists, core (and lots more), but this is a great starting point to check in and see how strong your body is in these areas, and maybe what could be worked on. We do not approach handstand at all in this class, that is to come later...! All levels accessible practice, no props required.

In the second class of my Journey to Handstand Program, I take you through various shoulder stretches and mobility movement patterns to help open your upper body. This is just as important as generating strength in handstand! As I explain in the video, getting that overhead push in handstand requires an immense amount of shoulder mobility. Again, we do not approach handstand at all in this class. Just 15 minutes of efficient opening of the shoulders in motion. It could be wise to warm up a little bit before you start practice, especially if your shoulders are tight. You will need a wall, two yoga blocks, and a yoga strap for class. All levels friendly.

Welcome to the third class of the journey to handstand program! In this class, we focus on the connection between the breath, the deep core, and the lower body as essential ingredients in working towards handstand. It's a bit of a yoga-pilates fusion style workout. Even if you aren't joining along this program, I'd call this a really nice low-intensity strength building practice for the core and legs. This one left me feeling strong, but not at all tired: perfect to start out a busy day. You will need either a chair, or two stacked yoga blocks for this class. All levels friendly, even for beginners.

Here is another bite-sized class to focus in on more of the physical foundations required for handstand. Often overlooked and extremely essential is enough flexibility in the lower body to get yourself off the earth and onto your hands. This is the first of multiple lower body flexibility classes to come in this series, with this one focusing on opening up the hamstrings and thighs/quads/hip flexors in an efficient, all-levels friendly way. You will need: 2 yoga blocks, a tightly rolled up blanket, and a wall for this practice. Also, if you are on a hard surface I'd suggest knee padding.

We have made it to our first full flow class of the Journey to Handstand series! In this class we are piecing together everything we have learned so far in this first 4 classes in a strong, heat-generating power Vinyasa style class. I introduce a few new things like playing with crow pose and our first flirt towards the possibility of maybe hopping up... maybe. While moments are quite strong and a bit quick & spicy, others are a bit more moderate and slow in pace. I'd call it somewhere around intermediate level - so it is definitely more accessible than my advanced power Vinyasa classes. You will need some props for this class: 2 yoga blocks, a yoga strap or strong belt, a tightly rolled blanket, knee padding, and a wall.

In this class we are finally starting to stand on our hands! You can expect a short but very effective class: we start with a quick little warmup and get into drills that eventually lead to walking our way up the wall towards L-stand variations of handstand. No jumping, but we certainly get strong. The only prop you need is a steady wall. We do have a sweet visit from the drama king himself in this class: Dante the cat - or more like the lion, you will see he's gotten so big! Last thing to mention: in this class I start out wearing socks, and I quickly realize that was a silly choice. Save yourself the trouble and do this class barefoot.

In this stage of the handstand journey, we are starting to incorporate a bit more of a cardiovascular-element along with our strength. Please do a short warmup before you start this class because I get right into it with various drills that incorporate planks, crow poses, fierce poses, functional core work, upper body strength, hopping, and eventually exploring donkey kicks and tuck jumps into a possible handstand. You will need a steady wall for this class. Let's be kind to ourselves, courageous, and open to new things being possible as we move along our journey to handstand.