One of the most common mistakes when practicing handstand is to arch the lower back which compresses the lumbar spine and SIJ. Due to gravity, Moola Bandha (Pelvic Floor) is naturally active, pulling towards the head, but also all the internal organs are, which creates pressure in the thoracic area and makes the ribs to pop out. In addition to this, usually we have lack of flexibility in the shoulder flexion, which means that when standing on your feet and lifting the arms up, they are not completely perpendicular to the floor following the line of the ears but slightly more forward. These two situations together create an arch in the back pushing the weight of the upper body more forward. Once in the handstand, the body needs to find balance, and from a physics perspective this balance will be achieved by moving the same amount of weight in the opposite direction. That is why we end up moving the hips backwards, they are the easiest part of the body and with enough weight to be moved in order to compensate for the weight of the torax that is already slightly forward. So we have the chest moving forward and the hips and buttocks moving backwards which creates the undesired arch in the spine. In my most recent blog post I write about some simple actions and practices that can be done to improve the arch in the lower back and bring the whole body weight closer to the midline. Link to my blog in my profile (www.luanafarayoga.com/blog-alma-nomada) . . 📷👉🏽Photo by @fotosbyboca Yoga shorts @onzie #adhomukhavrksasana #handstand #handstanding #armbalance #yogaalignments #yogatips #yogaasana #costaricayoga #yogaisequanimity #luanafarayoga (at Playa Grande)