1 really weird way to improve your handstand (or anything!)

"Brainy What-Why-How"

Your weekly nibble of brain-based tips to help you move and feel great!

🧠

What:

Holding your breath -- with your lungs empty-- while you do a few squats may help you hold your handstand* longer! 

*🤸‍♀️SPEAKING OF HANDSTANDS! 🤸🏽‍♂️
​I've added another 2024 handstand retreat (since my first one sold out so fast!)
​EARLY BIRD SPECIAL NOW ON!
​9-15 September 2024 • Morocco
​Click here for details!​

Why:

The part of the brain that controls breathing is, like, the OLDEST part of the brain. Older than lizard brain 🦎 it's like...crustacean brain? 🦐

Anyway, it does super duper basic stuff like telling you: 

stop inhaling! when your lungs are full 🫁

and stop exhaling! when your lungs are empty 🫁

It also activates a lot of muscles needed for reflexive stability (i.e. we don't do it consciously; it happens automatically)

So, if we put ourselves into a state where the "hey...you're done exhaling, it's time to inhale!" part of the brain really fires up, we also fire up our stability muscles. 🤯

How:

Give it a try: 

1️⃣ it doesn't have to be a handstand. Think of anything you're working on--it could even be "feeling more energetic because I'm so tired of feeling tired ugh". Test it out, see how it feels. 

2️⃣ inhale, then exhale out allllllll of your air from your lungs. While your lungs are empty, do some squats (or jumping jacks, or pushups, or just walk at a brisk pace). 

IMPORTANT: It's not about pushing yourself! Once you feel the urge to inhale, breathe! You should be able to recover to a normal breath within 2 breaths. 

3️⃣ notice if your handstand -- or energy levels, or just your general stability -- feels better! 

🤸‍♀️This is just ONE cool brain hack I have for better handstands!🤸🏽‍♂️
​I'll be sharing all my tips and drills at my retreat!
​DON'T MISS OUT! SPACES ARE LIMITED
​9-15 September 2024
​Click here for details!​

Thank you for reading!

And please share with a friend or colleague who might find this valuable.

Happy breathing,

Adell xoxo

Want to go way deeper on all of this geeky brain stuff?​
​• Come hang out with me in Morocco and do handstands stuff!
• Join the waiting list for my next NeuroYoga TTC here!​
• Check out the courses from Z-health, where I started my education in brain-based approaches: Click here for my discount codes on their first 3 courses!