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Level 2/3
60 min

Arm Balance Challenge

Hatha | By Noah Mazé on May 20 2012
Arm Balance Challenge is a strong and fast paced class, appropriate for athletes and others looking to build power and focus in these dynamic poses. Warm up, practice headstand (Sirsasana 2), quick sun salutations and leap right into the arm balances. Each arm balance is instructed in stages; the first time from the floor, the second time from headstand, with options to link multiple arm balances and/or add vinyasa transitions. Oh, and don't forget to have fun!

Description

Arm Balance Challenge is a strong and fast paced class, appropriate for athletes and others looking to build power and focus in these dynamic poses. Warm up, practice headstand (Sirsasana 2), quick sun salutations and leap right into the arm balances. Each arm balance is instructed in stages; the first time from the floor, the second time from headstand, with options to link multiple arm balances and/or add vinyasa transitions. Oh, and don't forget to have fun!

Comments

  • Tanya H     May 5th, 2013
    Thank you for the challenging class! Loved the transitions from headstands to arm balances.
    • Noah Maze     May 6th, 2013
      Tanya, thanks for hearing the challenge as an invitation and for going for it! Namaste~
  • Michelle Cardone     Feb 27th, 2013
    another great class! thank you.
    • Noah Maze     Feb 27th, 2013
      Thanks Michelle :)
  • Stacey Lasseter     Dec 4th, 2012
    While in the wide-legged uttanasana with shoulder behind knee/hands clasped, my 6 year-old noted that "its like you're wrestling yourself!" As always, thanks for the wonderful classes....
    • Noah Maze     Feb 27th, 2013
      Stacey, I often say that too! "It's like you're wrestling yourself, and the good news is that YOU WILL WIN!"
  • Susan McDevitt     Sep 3rd, 2012
    WOW!! That definitely was challenging, but lots of fun too : ). I love the way you spoke of the milestones your infant son is progressing towards and how reaching these milestones are sequential. I work with young infants and children and learn so much through watching them and I use this gift to help me grow both in my profession and my practice. Thank you Noah!!
    • Noah Maze     Feb 27th, 2013
      Susan, thank you so much for sharing, and for taking class. Stages of early childhood development, stages of learning, stages of progressing in yoga practice; we can learn from it all.
  • Amanda Shepherd     Sep 1st, 2012
    Fourth time(?) and this class is still a charm. Thanks Noah :).
    • Noah Maze     Feb 27th, 2013
      4th time! Love it, thanks Amanda!
  • Tammie K     Aug 11th, 2012
    Oh this was fun! I especially liked the prep poses in the beginning. Thank you.
    • Noah Maze     Feb 27th, 2013
      Tammie, thanks for playing :)
  • Alessandra Sánchez-Reyes     Aug 1st, 2012
    This class is GREAT! I've been practicing this transitions from headstand and finally I got some of them (not beautifully, not easily but it's a start). I'll coming back to this class, I know with practice I'll be able to do it gracefully and not falling in my butt :)
    Thanks Noah!!!
    • Noah Maze     Feb 27th, 2013
      Awesome, I'm so glad this is helping you get those transitions to happen! Love to you Alessandra :)
  • Ginger Doughty     Jul 25th, 2012
    Is it really safe for teachers to have students put thier body weight directly on their cervical spine. What is benefiical to this...except eventually disc compression and misalignment?
    • Noah Maze     Jul 28th, 2012
      Hi Ginger, you raise a good and valid question. To use headstand as a transition to/from handbalancings, is not for beginners, or anyone that is unpracticed or not confident with headstand. Headstand needs to be practiced with good alignment, with skillful input of a teacher, and you increase time in the pose slowly with practice. For all of these reasons, that is why every handbalance has an entry from standing, as that is how they should be practiced to gain proficiency in the pose. For intermediate/advanced students, headstand is often used as a transition into/out of handbalancings. Of course, if headstand feels inappropriate/un safe to you or your students, don't do it. And, when in doubt, check with your doctor/medical professional for any medical advice regarding yoga practice.
  • Alexandra Hasselkuss     Jun 21st, 2012
    Awesome, Noah! I love you and your humor! :)))))
    • Noah Maze     Jul 28th, 2012
      Thanks Alex :)
  • Sara Strother     May 29th, 2012
    Noah, your sirsa II to eka pada bakasana II to eka pada koundinyasana II was bleeping amazing. Rewind. Repeat. s
    • Noah Maze     Jul 28th, 2012
      Thanks Sara! Looking forward to seeing you soon :)
  • Matt Cooke     May 24th, 2012
    Thank you so much Noah! You absolutely filled me up today! (My spiritual tank that is) :)
    • Noah Maze     Jul 28th, 2012
      Awesome! And it's a renewable energy resource!
  • Rebeca Hernandez     May 24th, 2012
    Great class and lots of fun! Thank you Noah!
    • Noah Maze     Jul 28th, 2012
      Gracias Rebeca, xo
  • Stacey DeGrasse     May 22nd, 2012
    I came home from a challenging day of work and decided to be challenged in another way, so this class sounded perfect. Not only was it fun, but I finally got into eka pada koundinyasana 2 for the first time. Despite years of practicing it and success with so many other arm balances, this pose has eluded me. Now I can't stop doing it! Love breakthroughs like this! Getting into this shape totally shifted my day. Thanks Noah! XOXOXO
    • Noah Maze     Jul 28th, 2012
      YES! Congrats! I love breakthroughs like this too!
  • Nick Heng     May 22nd, 2012
    happy to received good news that you're returning to KL in JULY!
    • Noah Maze     Jul 28th, 2012
      Thanks Nick! See you tomorrow!
      • Nick Heng     Jan 14th, 2013
        Hi Noah, Looking forward to your next trip :) sent u email.
    • salmona l jahja     May 26th, 2012
      yeay... coming to KL :-)
      • Nick Heng     May 28th, 2012
        Super Cool Mona! Cu too in KL!
  • Mia Mironov     May 22nd, 2012
    :)namaste
  • Monica Monica     May 21st, 2012
    Awesome class. You're an inspiration. Thank you!
  • Leigh Ann Ablah     May 21st, 2012
    Love the step by step, breath by breath instructions....very helpful. Thank you!
    • Noah Maze     Jul 28th, 2012
      Thanks Leigh
  • Autumn Jordan     May 21st, 2012
    What a challenging class! Almost all of the arm balances were new to me, let's just say I need to keep practicing to get my back leg off the ground. I had fun though! Is there any classes on Yogaglo which introduce arm balances so I could improve? Thanks Noah!
    • Noah Maze     Jul 28th, 2012
      Autumn, I have several Level 1 and Level 1/2 classes that are great intros to these poses.
  • Huda Mussa     May 21st, 2012
    Excellent as usual could do all the arm balances but only Bakasana from Sirsasana 2. It did not hurt that my sacroilliac ligament is inflamed and causing tightness in my QL, psoas, and groin.
    • Noah Maze     Jul 28th, 2012
      Huda, yes, these poses are tough when the SI joint is inflamed. And, the headstand entry makes it even harder. The floor entry will generally give the pose more stability and perhaps greater success.
  • Raymond Mohrman     May 20th, 2012
    Great fun and great challenge....aloha
    • Noah Maze     Jul 28th, 2012
      Aloha Raymond, thanks for taking class!
  • Mojgan Buonafede     May 20th, 2012
    Thank you Noah for the amazing class. I can feel your energy through the screen of my computer.
    • Noah Maze     Jul 28th, 2012
      That is way cool!
  • Lisa Hagen     May 20th, 2012
    Love your badass arm balance classes, Noah! Saved to my Faves...
    • Noah Maze     Jul 28th, 2012
      :) :) Thanks for making me smile Lisa