Arm balances can be fun, stimulating, and challenging! If you’re looking to change up your arm balance practice, then check out these creative arm balances:
Creative Arm Balances
1. Fallen Angel
Fallen Angel looks like an inversion, but it’s actually a variation of Side Crow! For this posture, you’ll need to prepare by opening up the hips and hamstrings. Since its blueprint pose is Side Crow, don’t forget to warm up the spine with side bends and twists.
To get into Fallen Angel, start with Chair Pose or Utkatasana. Then, sit all the way down until you come into a crouched stance (or what looks like a narrow Malasana). Keep your hips steady as you rotate the upper body to the right side.
Next, place your arms over your right hip and thigh. Lean your hips against your triceps, gripping the ground underneath you. Allow your legs to lift off, then lower your cheek down until it rests on the mat. It might be scary at first, but you can do it!
Once your cheek makes contact with the ground, lengthen your legs up towards the sky as best as you can. You’ve achieved Fallen Angel!
2. Baby Grasshopper
This is a totally funky and unique arm balance. It also can serve as a precursor to Full Grasshopper, one of the most challenging arm balances on your roster. Just like any other arm balance, Baby Grasshopper would require core strength and stability. Don’t forget to add core-strengthening exercises to your routine!
Begin sitting down with your legs extended. Cross your right foot over your left thigh. Press down onto your left hand while externally rotating your left foot. Grab hold of the outer edge of your left foot with your right hand.
Using your pelvic floor strength and your belly muscles, lift your hips up and away from your yoga mat. Lean forward until you get a 90 degree bend in your left arm. Pull the belly in, protract the shoulder blades and keep your gaze focused forward. Repeat on the other side.
3. Peacock
Peacock Pose, or Mayurasana, is a very challenging arm balance! Take note that this posture takes a lot of preparation and practice. Before attempting this posture, it’s best that you try more beginner-friendly arm balances such as Crow or Pendant Pose.
From Table Top, flip your palms so that your fingers face your knees. Wrap your elbows in so that they can act as a shelf for your chest. Straighten your legs behind you until you come into a plank type of shape. Then, lift your legs up one at a time. Hold for a few breaths, before lowering back down.
