Category: Handstands

Intro to Handstands at The Castle Climbing Centre

Exploring Handstands

 

When: Saturday 21st November 2026, 10am – 12noon

Where: The Castle Climbing Centre, Green Lanes, Stoke Newington, N4 2HA

Costs: £25 per workshop (limited to 6-8 people only)

This two-hour workshop aims to introduce the technical elements of doing handstands. 
 
The hope is to offer regular handstand workshops, as there are always things to be working on. 
 
From the outset, we will cover the key principles of: –  
  • wrists, to be able to take body weight;
  • finger power, to understand balance;
  • maintaining core stability; 
  • shoulder flexibility and stamina.

We will work in pairs to look at ways of coming into handstand using the wall as well as balancing in the middle of the room.

We will learn how to support and spot a handstand, how to support, coach and keep the handstander safe whilst they are learning to balance on their hands.

Who this is for: – 

  • if you are new to handstands and want to learn; or
  • if you can already handstand and want pointers to improve 

What to bring

  • Your own yoga mat (there will be no yoga mats provided)
  • Towel
  • Wrist supports / straps if you use them
  • Handstand blocks if you use them
  • Water bottle 
 
Please be aware we will be working a lot on our hands and taking weight through our shoulders.  So, if you have weak wrists or shoulders and or nursing any injuries in these areas, please contact me at hello@jaquiwan.com and check if this workshop is suitable for you. 

 

Yonder Spring Series 2025: Exploring Inversions & Arm Balances

Exploring the world of balancing on your hands.

When: Saturday 1st March 2025, 2- 4.30pm 

Where: Yonder, 4-6 Hookers Road, London, E17 6DP

Costs: £35

BOOK HERE

 

This workshop is ideal for anyone with a regular yoga or movement practice, essentially for those who are keen to discover more about their inversions and arm-balancing potential.

We will cover the holy trinity of classic inversions: –

  • Sirsasana / headstands,
  • PIncha Maryasana / forearm balances and
  • Ardho Mukha Vrksasana / handstands.

We will there after explore a range of arm balances which may include: –

  • Tittibasana / firefly,
  • Bakasana / crow,
  • Parsva Bakasana / side crow,
  • Eka Pada Koudiyasana / split leg arm balance,
  • Eka Pada Galvanasana / one legged balance,
  • Eka Hasta Bhujasana / one leg over arm balance,
  • Astrabakrasana / figure of eight pose

We will cover alignment techniques, strength training, the embodiment of inversions and how safely take weight on your arms and hands.

We will build up progressively working on upper body stamina, core conditioning and wrist and finger power.

Prerequisites:-
Should be comfortable being upside down and be able to do a headstand against the wall.

BOOK HERE 

Jaqui has had a long-standing fascination with inversions and arm balances. Since certifying as an acroyoga teacher in 2006, she has been working on handstands and believes it’s a never-ending journey of ‘work in progress’.

Inversions and Balances at Yonder

A Yonder Collaboration 

When: Saturday 13th April 2024, 2-4.30pm  

Where: Yonder, 4-6 Hookers Road, London, E17 6DP

Cost: £35 

BOOK HERE  

Ever thought about doing classic inversions, be it headstands, forearm-stand and handstands?  Here is your chance to turn your world upside down.

We spend an afternoon exploring the world of balancing on your hands. We will build it up progressively working on upper body stamina, core conditioning and wrist awareness. We will work in pairs presenting the art of spotting inversions to help with both alignment and ensuring safety in the room.

There will be an opportunity to get creative exploring: –

  • inversions with leg variations and different body shapes;
  • asymmetric inversions and balances and
  • partner inversions. 

This is ideal for the person who has a regular yoga practice and who is keen to discover more about their inversion potential. Open to all.

This workshop aims to challenge and inspire, you may not be able to do everything presented: but you will have the building blocks and tools to evolve. 

Autumn Series at Yonder 2023

INVERSIONS & ACROYOGA AT YONDER 

Where: Yonder, 4-6 Hookers Road, London E17 6DP

Offerings: 

 

INVERSIONS 101 FOR BEGINNERS  | SAT 23RD SEPT | 2-4PM

An introductory workshop into the principles of basic inversions. 

Enter a brand new upside-down world! 

This is the perfect workshop for building new skills. A beneficial and fun addition to your own movement practice.

We will cover a variety of inversions that include the basic elements to three classics:

  • Sirsasana / headstands and their variations
  • Pincha Maryasana / forearm balances
  • Handstands

By the end of this workshop, you will have gained all the tools in alignment techniques, strength training, the embodiment of inversions and how to safely take weight on your arms and hands. 

We will build up progressively by working on upper body stamina, core conditioning, wrist strength and finger power. 

Open to all with an interest in being upside down

SAT 21ST OCT | 2-4.30PM | ACROYOGA FUNDAMENTALS 

The world of AcroYoga, an afternoon to connect, build trust and play.

This workshop is for:

  • People new to AcroYoga
  • Those with some AcroYoga experience that want to steer on the basics
  • Anyone who has played with AcroYoga but has lost momentum in this practice and wishes to reestablish their solid foundations


We will learn the built foundations of the AcroYoga practice; exploring calisthenic and partner conditioning to dive into our acrobatic bodies.
Moving into the partner balancing section of the session, you will play with nuances of calibration and collaboration, and explore the therapeutics that come from this practice, be it Flying or partner Thai massage.

No experience is necessary, beginners are welcome.

Our aim is to build your confidence, learn and try something new, and build on your potential to play safely and have fun.

INVERSIONS AND ARM BALANCES  | SAT 25TH NOV | 2- 4PM

An afternoon’s exploration into the world of balancing on your hands. 

This workshop is ideal for anyone with a regular yoga, movement or bodywork practice, especially for those who have been keen to discover more about their hands and arm balancing potential.

We will cover the three classic inversions:

  • Sirsasana / headstands,
  • Pincha Maryasana / forearm balances
  • Handstands.

We will explore a range of arm balancing including:

  • Tittibasana / firefly, 
  • Parsva Bakasana / side crow 
  • Eka Pada Koudiyasana / split leg arm balance

This class dives deeply into alignment techniques, strength training, the embodiment of inversions and how to safely take weight on your arms and hands.
We will build up progressively working on upper body stamina, core conditioning and wrist and finger power.

Prerequisites: 

  • Should be comfortable being upside down
  • Can hold a headstand against a wall for 30 seconds.

BOOK HERE

Playful Inversions

Apologies, this workshop has been cancelled & will be rescheduled

for another time.

 

When:  Saturday 25th March 2023, 2-5pm

Where: Yonder Studio, 4-6 Hookers Road, London, E17 6DP 

Costs: 

Exploring the joy of collaborative inversions.

This workshop is ideal for those who enjoy being upside down.  Where inversions spark joy in their yoga, movement or bodywork practice. 

We will begin with alignment techniques, strength training, the embodiment of inversions and how safely take weight on your arms and hands. Thereafter we will build up progressively working in pairs or in groups and play with collaborations and moving whilst upside down.   

Prerequisites: –

  • Should enjoy being upside down
  • Be comfortable with a headstand against a wall for at least 15 seconds

Cancellation Policy

You are advised that there is a 48 hours notice via email to hello@jaquiwan.com should you wish to cancel and claim your total refund. Failure to provide sufficient notice will result in a £10 admin fee deducted from your refund for each workshop or person.

There are exceptions to this if you have been told to isolate and or have had a recent positive covid test result.  A full refund will be issued upon submission of evidence to confirm your circumstance.

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