{"id":253134,"date":"2020-08-13T06:21:23","date_gmt":"2020-08-13T10:21:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wanderlust.com\/?p=253134"},"modified":"2020-08-28T06:48:09","modified_gmt":"2020-08-28T10:48:09","slug":"a-guide-to-inversions-and-strength","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wanderlust.com\/de\/journal\/a-guide-to-inversions-and-strength\/","title":{"rendered":"Inverted State of Mind"},"content":{"rendered":"

Inversions are some of the most fun and uplifting asana\u2019s we can do in our practice, whether that\u2019s in say a pincha or a handstand. There\u2019s no doubt that inversions are a great way to play and explore movement, but I really believe there is a deeper side to them. They teach you a lot about yourself, a quick gateway into understanding your breath, your focus and where your state of mind is at. When we go upside down, we have to be solely focused on exactly what we are doing, pure concentration. I am an inversion junkie for these reasons. I won\u2019t lie to you though, the journey is challenging, and one that takes constant work. But it\u2019s one that teaches you so much about patience and accepting where the mind and body may be on a certain day, letting go of an outcome of a situation, and just experiencing the practice.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Perspective and Reflection<\/b><\/h3>\n

Going upside down changes things. Time slows down and everything blurs around you. The rest of the world fades out around you and all you are left is with your breath and your body. Being in that state, I feel they bring you in tune with your inner essence, a heightened sense of stillness and raw energy, not questioning your movement or actions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

How my inversions are when I step onto the mat tell\u2019s me a lot about where I am mentally and energetically. When I am in a flow state, not thinking and just feeling my way, it\u2019s naturally there and I<\/span> feel like I\u2019m just floating. On days where my mind is a mess and my practice feels heavy, I can\u2019t hold a single thing. But either way, focused or unfocused, inversions give us the opportunity to look within, to access your inner monologue at a deeper level. <\/span><\/p>\n

Whether that\u2019s in a pincha mayurasana or legs up the wall in a restorative shoulder stand, it draws us in. Allowing us to be with whatever is going on. To feel with a sense of pacification and surrender. To let go into what simply is, and maybe asking those questions \u201cWhere is my mind? Where\u2019s the breath and body awareness? Do I need to just slow down and come back to a space of control or do I need to lay with my legs up the wall with a bolster under my back?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Inversions (as with everything in yoga) is a tool to access that inner conversation.<\/span><\/p>\n

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How to Build a More Stable Inversion Practice<\/b><\/h3>\n

Inversions take consistent work. I wish I could say to you \u201chey just keep doing it and jumping around and one day, BOOM, it will happen\u201d. Sadly, no. It\u2019s more drills and training than doing. At Least that\u2019s my experience. In saying that, as much as we need to to do the drills, we also need to muck around and just play and explore. It\u2019s a fine balance. But these are five exercises I love to do and that have really helped me in my journey, hopefully helping you on your inversion journey. <\/span><\/p>\n