Pilates Princess -> Gymnastics Girly

Everyone’s in their Pilates Princess era (if you’re one such Pilates Princess, love that for you!), but I’d just like to practice my inversions. 

Absolutely no slander to the exercise – my mom was a Pilates instructor and I am well aware of how difficult hundreds are – I’d just like there to be similar enthusiasm (and community!) for those practicing handstands and presses. 

Oh, I’m realizing that maybe I’d just like to find other twenty-(plus-)somethings interested in gymnastics. 

I may be in the wrong corner of the internet (per ush!) and you’ve been inundated, actually, with calisthenics content, but let me influence you, just for a minute.

Well, I should note, I’d just like to do handstands – calisthenics, otherwise, is a bit out of my wheelhouse.

So, why should we practice inversions, why should we practice balancing?

For the gua sha girlies (of which I am one!), inversions stimulate the lymphatic system, boosting circulation, and improving clarity. That last bit is a product of reversing gravity and allowing blood to (re-)flow toward your heart and brain.

Similarly, inversions can decompress the spine and alleviate back pain. (A quick caveat! Handstands may not be the way to go, here; a downward dog, instead, would be the safer remedy of the two.)

Now, if you’re thinking, Chloe, I’d actually just like to remain upright, there are plenty of other balancing exercises – because handstands are rooted in balance – you can do, too!

Single-leg stands and bird dogs to name two! Balancing is rather important, particularly as we age, to maintain body awareness, improve joint health, and prevent falling.

Have I influenced you yet?

Happy balancing – maybe even happy handstanding!

Photo Source: Marc Kleen via Unsplash.