You’ve probably seen the Healthie Elbow Stand popping up on your Instagram’s homepage from some flexible yogi from time to time, and it’s no wonder as not only is this healthie selfie always such a stunning image of strength and flexibility, it’s also an extremely challenging pose to get into and hold. It’s the healthie selfiie trend at the moment, and we’ve all been secretly wishing that we could do this pose, even all of us at the Sporteluxe office. Well, as they all say, practice makes perfect and it was until after chatting with the very fit ex Olympian Amanda Bisk that anyone can actually do this pose providing your core strength and arms are very strong. ‘The Elbow stand is a progression from head stand (where your head rests in your hands while up side down). The easiest way to learn is with assistance from a wall says.’ Amanda.
How to do a Elbow Stand thanks to Amanda Bisk.
- Kneel down facing a wall, place your elbows on the ground and hands on the ground about 10cm from the wall. Kick up until you are upsidedown with feet on the wall above you for balance. When you are starting you can ask a friend to guide you to find the wall with your feet.
- When you can balance on your own leaning on the wall, you can begin to take one foot off the wall, only using the other foot to balance.
- Then slowly move the second foot away from the wall. This may take a few (or maybe more) try’s until you find your center of gravity upsidedown.
- This balance is great for shoulder strength and teaching core stability and control. Once you have mastered the elbow stand with no wall you can try splitting your legs into a split elbow stand.
- The picture shows a half split elbow stand with shoulders extended. It can also be done with one leg touching the ground once your shoulder flexibility and strength improves. Wheel pose (bendback) is good for working shoulder flexibility.
- And remember always have supervision if you are a beginner to this.
Happy elbow standing!!
