Strength Drills for Inversions Challenge

In this five-minute class, you'll learn a rolling plank variation that will help you build upper body strength for more challenging practices (like pressing up into handstand!). The slower you move, the harder it becomes. This is part of the Drills & Bits series (a series of short yet effective practices designed to help you prepare for pressing up into handstand).

Got five minutes? Learn a new drill! Practice oblique crunches in side plank and then transition through a vinyasa that includes a one-handed plank.p>This is part two of the Drills & Bits series (a series of short yet effective practices designed to help you prepare for pressing up into handstand).

Have a small blanket (or towel or socks) and two blocks (or books) handy and get ready for a new drill! Learn how to work progressively toward lifting your hips off the floor from seated using the strength of your upper back, pelvic floor, and shoulder girdle. You've got this! This is part of the Drills & Bits series (a series of short yet effective practices designed to help you prepare for pressing up into handstand).

This drill will get you floating from down dog to the front of your mat, catching more and more airtime each time.Props: strap or towel and two yoga blocksThis is part of the Drills & Bits series (a series of short yet effective practices designed to help you prepare for pressing up into handstand).

Build upper body strength with these challenging drills: turbo dog push-ups, forearm push-ups, and a transition between chaturanga, forearm push-up, and down dog.\n\nOnce you've learned each of these drills separately, you'll put them all together in a down dog-mashup flow.This is part of the Drills & Bits series (a series of short yet effective practices designed to help you prepare for pressing up into handstand).

Fire up your abs with these quick and challenging core drills. All you'll need is two blocks (and a lot of determination).This is part of the Drills & Bits series (a series of short yet effective practices designed to help you prepare for pressing up into handstand).

Keep your hamstrings supple. This sequence takes you from a wide-legged forward fold (prasarita padottanasana) into half splits (ardha hanumanasana) and full splits (hanumanasana). You'll also practice a quick and fun drill that can help you catch a little airtime from prasarita padottanasana. Enjoy!This is part of the Drills & Bits series (a series of short yet effective practices designed to help you prepare for pressing up into handstand).

Activate your core! Learn a navasana (boat pose) variation that is not for the faint of heart. Grab a strap and get ready for something new and fun.This is four minutes well spent.This is part of the Drills & Bits series (a series of short yet effective practices designed to help you prepare for pressing up into handstand).

This four-minute class will help you finesse or begin your practice of pike-ups. Find a surface you can slide on, and have a towel (or a pair of socks) on hand.This is part of the Drills & Bits series (a series of short yet effective practices designed to help you prepare for pressing up into handstand).

Learn a new drill that will get you moving and energized: "fire floats." Enjoy the challenge, yogi, and have fun incorporating this fun transition into your practice!This is part of the Drills & Bits series (a series of short yet effective practices designed to help you prepare for pressing up into handstand).

This playful yet challenging four-minute class will get you floating in your lizard pose. Feel the spring in your step and enjoy!This is part of the Drills & Bits series (a series of short yet effective practices designed to help you prepare for pressing up into handstand).

Strengthen the back of your body with this seven-minute class. Practice table, down dog, cobra, and locust variations as you move with your breath, slowly and surely, through each moment of challenge.This is part of the Drills & Bits series (a series of short yet effective practices designed to help you prepare for pressing up into handstand).

In this five-minute class, you'll learn two ways to press up to handstand using blocks: a straddle press-up and a single-leg press-up. Don't be discouraged if this feels hard (maybe even impossible) at first. Just keep practicing! This is part of the Drills & Bits series (a series of short yet effective practices designed to help you prepare for pressing up into handstand).

This final class of the Drills & Bits series will give you another opportunity to finesse your press-up into handstand. Call on all of your strength, patience, and perseverance for this one: Try and try again!This is part of the Drills & Bits series (a series of short yet effective practices designed to help you prepare for pressing up into handstand).