Forearm Stand

What Does Forearm Stand Mean?

Forearm stand is an inversion that displays strength and beauty, while helping the practitioner overcome a fear of falling through physical and mental balance.

To enter this posture, the practitioner should begin in dolphin pose (ardha pincha mayurasana). With the forearms and elbows flat against the mat, the feet walk toward the arms until the torso is as vertical as possible. With a strong core, the legs are lifted or kicked into the air. The legs can be bent or straightened for more advanced practitioners. The body should balance on the forearms alone, with the spine straight and the gaze focused on the mat between the hands.

Forearm stand is also known as pincha mayurasana in Sanskrit.

Yogapedia Explains Forearm Stand

An incredible expression of inner and physical strength and beauty, forearm stand is also known as peacock feather pose because the practitioner's legs resemble the way a peacock lifts its tail to display its colorful feathers.

This pose is thought to reduce stress by increasing blood flow to the brain, promoting feelings of clarity and peace. This refreshed blood flow can also help relieve headaches. Inversions in general offer mental clarity and strengthen the body. Balancing inversions especially strengthen the shoulders and core. They also help tone the rib cage and stomach areas, as those torso muscles are key to maintaining balance and alignment.

Individuals learning this pose may want to use a strap around the arms or a yoga block between the hands to maintain proper forearm and elbow alignment. It may also be helpful to practice this pose against a supportive wall, allowing the body to become familiar with correct alignment before attempting it without support.

Dolphin pose is a good preparatory pose to build strength for forearm balance. To deepen forearm balance and add more of a challenge, the leg position can be varied: for example, by bringing the legs into splits.