Handstand Series with Emiliana Tsoukala
Ηanstand: The position that turns the world upside down
We invite you on Sundays 6 October, 3 November & 8 December at 11:00 to 3 Sunday seminars with Emilia Tsoukala where we will delve into the hanstand and its technique.
The hanstand or in Sanskrit Adho mukha vrkasana (the upside down tree) is one of the most challenging poses in yoga. It takes perseverance, patience and dedication. It is one of those postures where the whole body is present, on both the physical and mental levels. One needs to feel one's body in its full range in order to bring it into balance and stand in it for a while.
The hanstand confronts us with a change of perspective, loss of control and fear of falling. It balances between control and release from control. It invites us to take risks, to trust our hands, always with whole body awareness. It teaches us to fall and get up again and again. It teaches us that failure is often the only way to success.
Why, I wonder, can we be moved, transformed, if we don't first take risks and let go?
In this seminar we will be introduced to the hanstand and its technique. The way we approach it and the difficulties we will encounter. We will explore the obstacles it brings us on a deeper, more psychological level and what it can teach us as a practice.
1st seminar: 6/10: Technique & alignment
In our first session we will lay the groundwork for the hanstand. The way we place our body into the position step by step to meet with balance. Techniques for entering the position, with the help of the wall and our assistants (spotter). We will work on alignment exercises and approach how to breathe into the position.
Seminar 2: 3/11 Strengthening & Flexibility
In this session we will encounter strengthening and flexibility exercises related to the hanstand. Strengthening exercises for the shoulders, core, legs, as well as exercises for flexibility. We will work on dynamically entering the position and maintaining it for longer durations.
3rd seminar 8/12 From confidence to balance
Here we will meet the hanstand to balance of (maybe) a little further away from the wall. With exercises aimed at building confidence in our bodies and our couple, we will add some movement into the position. We will try balancing within different shapes and observe how we feel within them.
These meetings are intended to experience the position of the hanstand a little closer. Each one serves as a continuation of the other, but they can also be attended separately. Depending on the stage of practice of the practitioners attending the course, there may be variations in the exercises in each course. As the meetings will be once a month, personal practice and exploration of the vertical between our meetings is recommended.
➵ All levels of practice are welcome, as variations will be given personally to each person.
DATE
Sundays 6 October, 3 November & 8 December | 11:00-13:30