Start by kneeling down, then lean forward placing the elbows on the floor at shoulder width apart, bind the hands together in front of you, resting on the forearms and knees.
Extend the legs behind you, pulling the pelvis towards the ceiling, so your body is on a V shape, keep the feet hip width apart with the toes curled in. Hold this position for about 30 seconds, breathing normally.
To come out release the hands and sit down on your knees, lean the chest down towards the floor and rest on child pose for few seconds.
This posture helps to build upper body strength required for the headstand.
See also how to perform the Dolphin Push-up
Hatha Yoga Postures: Sanskrit – English
Marcia has been practising yoga for over 20 years and has specialised in the Hatha and Ashtanga schools of yoga, although has also enjoyed learning other branches such as Iyengar. As well as yoga she practices meditation, and plays a wide range of sports, including badminton, cricket, cycling, and walking.