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- Take us deeper into a meditative space as they require absolute focus.
- Challenging, they involve fear & ego while bringing about self-confidence and humility.
- Arm balances require and develop strength (arms, shoulders, core) and flexibility (shoulders, hips).
- Explore with a sense of playfulness and a sense of humor. Be patient!
- Try to practice each arm balance 2-3 times, paying close attention to what happens in each attempt – watch, feel, listen, learn, refine.
- Notice the tendency to hold the breath – emphasize steady breathing.
- The wrists are most at risk in arm balances. You should have sufficient wrist extension to place your palms flat on the floor and move your forearms perpendicular to the floor without strain or pain. Back off if your feel any sharp pain.
- Explore interweaving your arm balances with standing asanas, applying the intelligence and opening developed in successive standing asanas to the foundation of each arm balance, as follows:
- Triangle, Prasarita Padottanasana and Malasana in preparation for Bakasana
- Uttanasana, Malasana and Prasarita Padottanasana in preparation for Bhujapidasana.
- Parivritta Trikonasana and Parivritta Utkatansana in preparation for Parsva Bakasana
- Parivritta Parsvakonasana and Ardha Chandrasana in preparation for Eka Pada Koundinyasana.
- With Sirsana II Vinyasa: Bakasana, Parsva Bakasana, Dwi Pada Koundinyasana, Eka Pada Koundinyasana, Urdhva Kukkutasana in either a broken or continuous series. This is an intermediate-to-advanced series which should practiced with keen attention to the neck and wrists.
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