Side plank - two attempts

The next asana of this handstand challenge created by Kino on Instagram was side plank. Side plank is doable, I thought. There is no easy asana, of course not, but there is a hierarchy. There are challenging asanas and impossible ones and many levels in between. Side plank seems to be relatively manageable. To balance in any asana requires strength and technique as well. I opted for an easier version of this pose. Instead of balancing on my hand I wanted to balance on my lower arm. To lift myself up was not within my possibilities at the moment I took this photo. I lacked energy. I lied there and called it an attempt.

Next day I had this glorious idea to watch the instructions by Kino on her omstars channel before heading to the mat for a photo shooting.

See the difference:

This is a side plank. After the tutorial I was motivated to try the more challenging plank pose. To look at the hand on the floor is a great variation. Even my feet are as they are supposed to be. I could hold this pose easily.

All balancing asanas support the journey to handstand. I’m not sure if I’ll ever be able to do handstand press. But the journey towards this pose is indeed an exciting one. I enjoy the trip so far.

The grip

In the very first handstand lesson of the 30 day handstand challenge created by Kino on omstars I learned how important the grip is. The fingers work hard. Their task is to balance the body. With time and exercise even the fingers can get stronger.

I realized during my practices that a strong grip is useful whenever the hands are on the floor. It helps enormously in asanas like bakasana, all vinyasa, buja pidasana, chakrasana. Alone this insight was worth starting the handstand journey. Today I had the feeling as if my practice improved, because I always remembered to have a very strong foundation. Also the toes can be active when on the floor.

Nevertheless, the feet don’t lift yet. I can lift one feet, but not both. I don’t want to jump. If I jumped I wouldn't be able to hold the asana.

Some handstand teacher recommend to float the feet between the hands. Then the hands step forward. That way one can move forward and backward on the mat. It surely is a good exercise. There are many exercises. It makes sense to look for the most effective ones. And one must like to do it.

Another exercise that strengthens the core is to lift the body when in the above position. I need support. It can be seen that my feet don’t reach the same height than my hands. Core strength is necessary to lift the body when the hands are on the floor, but not only. The hip flexors must do a lot of work as well.

Being able to do this exercise well is crucial if one wants to jump back. I still have potential. :)

Keep practicing. Being strong feels good.