Handstand Scorpion

The handstand scorpion is a minor contortion exercise where you go into a big back bend and bend the knees, usually touching them to the top of the head. Sometimes it’s taken even further and the feet come beneath the head.

Here’s a really good video that shows the handstand scorpion and more.

She is also doing a movement she calls the Tic Toc which is going into the bridge and back. There may be a different use of that name for a move in gymnastics.

Tumbling Illustrated
Tumbling Illustrated on Amazon

I’ve seen the handstand fall into a bridge before and done it myself. However getting back into the handstand from that position is much harder. Give it a try yourself. It’s helpful to have a great base in bridging movements before trying any of this.

This Scorpion pose is also known as Vrschikasana in yoga, although that may refer to the version where it’s a forearm stand rather then on the hands. And an interesting little philosophy on this move.

The head, which is the seat of knowledge and power, is also the seat of pride, anger, hatred, jealousy, intolerance and malice. These emotions are more deadly than the poison which the scorpion carries in its sting. The yogi, by stamping on his head with his feet, attempts to eradicate these self-destroying emotions and passions. By kicking his head he seeks to develop humility, calmness and tolerance and thus to be free of ego. The subjugation of the ego leads to harmony and happiness. Read more here.

Work on your handstand scorpion and you’ll not only build balancing ability, but great back flexibility and it can lead up to the other movements shown here. Plus it may help you free yourself from your ego 🙂

Want more?

Subscribe to our e-mail newsletter to receive blog updates. Find it in the top right of the sidebar.

, , , , ,

7 Responses to Handstand Scorpion

  1. Jean-Luc June 18, 2012 at 9:48 am #

    Wow… i hope i will be able to do this too, one day.

  2. のexiste forbag​​習慣金権政治のエンリケは、私が開くあなたのRSSは、それがジャンクがたくさんあることがあるように見えるフィード後、ファリアスの

  3. あなたがよ食べるニューヨーク体重の減少からの通知のいくつかの対照的な点計画、すべての1 1 ができる 有益。 初期ポイントは、おそらく、この過度に本物の放棄となります。 | いないいないでも私はここで終わった方法を知っているが、私はこのポストは思った私は、重量

  4. 私は サイトこの徹底の訪問者であることがうれしいです! 情報情報、このまれなためにそれを感謝! 。

  5. LastDell January 27, 2018 at 5:24 am #

    I see you don’t monetize your website, don’t waste your traffic, you can earn extra bucks
    every month because you’ve got high quality content.
    If you want to know how to make extra bucks, search for: Mertiso’s tips best adsense
    alternative

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

  1. Yoga Handstands | Lost Art of Hand Balancing - August 16, 2012

    […] are a number of variations of the handstand that can be done like the scorpion pose below, which adds extreme back flexibility into the mix. (Also note that the balance will actually […]

  2. Yoga Handstands - November 26, 2012

    […] are a number of variations of the handstand that can be done like the scorpion pose below, which adds extreme back flexibility into the mix. (Also note that the balance will actually […]

Leave a Reply