As a little girl, I was addicted to being upside down. I was always hanging off the couch or bed, and went on to do gymnastics for many years, then yoga. I’ve always known that there was something very healing about doing handstands, and I want to share the love with you.
You don’t have to be an acrobat to get vertical, you can simply kick up and do your handstand against a wall. Other inversions like shoulder stands and backbends, or simply hanging off the couch à la baby Lula have similar effects to the ones I’m about to talk about.
1. They improve circulation, preventing digestive stagnation, varicose veins and plain old lethargy.
2. They’re brain-stimulating. If you’ve been sitting at a computer all day and need some inspiration, get upside down. When I’m at my office, I often pop out into the hallway and hold a handstand against the wall for two minutes.
3. They put you in touch with your true hunger levels and keep cravings in check. When you get upside down, you become really aware of how your stomach feels. When you’re sitting all day, you become kind of numb to whether you’re actually hungry or just bored. To do a hunger check, get upside down.
4. Upper body strength! This one is more obvious. Doing a handstand everyday will seriously strengthen the muscles in your arms and shoulders.
5. Core strength. Handstands also take tons of core strength, since they’re a balancing posture. The stronger your core, the more likely you’ll be able to hold a handstand away from the wall. And who doesn’t want a strong midsection?
6. Handstands have been proven to stave off anxiety and balance mood by reducing the stress hormone cortisol. If you’re feeling grumpy or apathetic, get upside down.
7. They regulate metabolism. Being upside down stimulates your pituitary, a gland in the head that balances weight and fat storage.
So, what are you waiting for? Go do a handstand. Tell me how it goes.