Vinyala

Pose sheet

One-Arm Handstand

Ekahasta Vṛkṣāsanaएकहस्तवृक्षासन

Balance on one hand with legs apart and your free arm extended.

Open this pose in the 3D body

Steps

Support

Palm and fingers of one hand; head and feet unsupported.

Enter

  1. From a two-handed handstand, spread your legs into a V.
  2. Straighten your arms; press through your supporting palm and fingers.
  3. Shift your pelvis sideways over your supporting hand.
  4. Lighten your other palm; keep its fingertips grounded.
  5. Slowly lift your free hand and straighten that arm.

Hold

  1. Push the floor away; keep your supporting shoulder steady.
  2. Keep your knees straight and toes pointed.
  3. Adjust fingertip pressure without twisting your torso.
  4. Keep your free arm straight and your legs apart.

Exit

  1. Replace your free hand and distribute your weight between both hands.
  2. Lower one leg, then the other, with control.
  3. Rest in Child's Pose; repeat on the other side.
Breathing
Breathe continuously and evenly.
Gaze
Toward your supporting hand.
Duration
A few breaths while maintaining control.

Adapt

Adaptations

  • Two handsKeep both palms grounded during sideways weight shifts.
  • Fingertip assistanceKeep your free hand's fingertips grounded.
  • WallRest your feet against the wall, keeping your legs apart.

Variations

  • Legs together and free arm alongside your body.
  • Free arm extended sideways.
  • Free arm reaching toward the same-side leg.

Signals of effort

  • Inversion with your head and feet unsupported.
  • Body weight supported by one hand.
  • Hips spread apart with both knees straight.