Adho Mukha Vrksasana "Handstand Pose"

Pronunciation: (odd-ho mooh-kah verks-ah-SAHN-nuh)

Benefits: 

This inversion stimulates blood flow to your head and strengthens your arms, wrists, and shoulders. It promotes core balance.  

How to do it: 

1. Start in Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward-Facing Dog Pose), with your fingertips an inch or two away from a wall.
2. Firm your shoulder blades.
3. Bend your right leg in, keeping your left leg straight.
4. Push through your left heel to kick up, looking forward pass the hands, stacking your shoulders over your wrists, hips over shoulders.
5. Tip: If kicking up is not an option, try using the wall for assistance.  Stand a leg's distance away from the wall, with your back to the wall. Bend into a forward fold, hands planted firmly.  Step your feet up onto the wall.  Lift one leg straight up, and begin to lean forward, as your other leg slowly moves away from the wall.