The Crazy Arm-Balance That Sculpts Your Arms and Core

Make sure you bring your sense of humor to the mat for this pose, because if this is your first time giving it a try, you're probably going to fall over — a lot! Getting all bent out of shape (no pun intended) is not going to help. Go ahead and laugh at yourself, then get right back up and try again. This is the kind of pose where practice makes perfect because the more you try, the stronger and steadier you'll become, and that my friends, will land you in this pose like a champ. Follow this sequence on one side and then repeat on the other. When you reach the end of the sequence, if you're worried about face-planting into the hardwood floor, place a folded towel underneath you. 

 

• Stand with your feet touching at the top of your mat.
• Bend the knees, lowering the hips into a squat as you raise the arms overhead, pressing palms together.
• Shift weight into the heels, and gaze at your hands for five breaths

 

• From Fierce pose, keep the knees bent as you bend the elbows, twisting the torso to the right, crossing the left upper arm over the right thigh.
• Firmly press the bottom elbow down to lift the torso up, bringing the palms to the center of your chest.
• Continue to keep weight in your heels as you gaze up and over the right shoulder, holding for five breaths.