Funky Pincha

Setup and Key Actions

Begin in tabletop (hands and knees). Lower your right forearm to the floor so that your right elbow is directly underneath your right shoulder. Walk your left hand back so that your left wrist is directly in line with your right elbow. Hug your left elbow in toward you (like you would for chaturanga) to prevent it from splaying out to the side. Tuck your toes under, and lift your hips in the air for an asymmetrical variation of dolphin pose. Walk your feet forward. (If you find that you’re collapsing into your shoulders, walk your feet back again and stick with building strength in dolphin for the time being. Press your right forearm and left hand into the floor like you’re pushing it away from you, and continue to hug your left elbow in. Keeping that, lift your right leg up. You can stay here, or bend your left knee to kick up into the arm balance. Tip:

To help with balance, try keeping your legs split apart until you feel stable; then draw them both up and together. Continue to press the floor away from you and to hug your left elbow in. To come out of the pose, lower one foot down, and then the other to meet it, returning to asymmetrical dolphin. 

Modifications

In the beginning, you might find it especially helpful to practice in front of a wall. If you have a strong headstand and forearmstand practice already, but are finding the asymmetrical forearm balance difficult, once you come into your asymmetrical dolphin pose, you can bring the crown of your head to rest lightly on the floor (just like you would for headstand) and press up into a headstand version of funky pincha.